Analysis of phase structure and evolution of PP/PEOc blends during quiescent molten-state annealing process from SEM patterns. Part II. Co-continuous morphology.

The influence of quiescent molten-state annealing process on the phase structure and morphology of poly(propylene)/poly(ethylene-co-octene) blends with co-continuous morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The structure parameter called characteristic length ( L) was calculated by the pattern analysis of SEM micrographs to describe morphological variation with annealing time during molten-state annealing process under quiescent condition. Moreover, the potential fractal behavior of the phase structure and morphology of PP/PEOc = 50/50 blend during the process were discussed. The histograms of P( L/ L) obtained at various annealing time fell on a master curve, demonstrating the self-similar growth of the phase structure of the blends during quiescent molten-state annealing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]