The Concept of Solid Solvent as Processing Aid.
Abstract
The concept of solid solvent entails the use of a low molecular weight crystalline materials (LMC) as a processing aid. A LMC as an ideal solid solvent mixed into a polymer is expected to become a solvent for the polymer at high processing temperature reducing the melt viscosity and thus enhancing the processability, but to become a non-solvent for the polymer at low use temperatures precipitating out of the polymer without adversely affecting the properties of the polymer. The feasibility of such concept was examined using acetanilide as a potential solid solvent for polystyrene (PS) and Kraton 1101, a block copolymer containing PS blocks. Acetanilide demonstrated the essential features required of a solid solvent supporting the concept of solid solvent. It had a high solubility in PS at high temperatures very effectively reducing the melt viscosity of PS and Kraton 1101, and it precipitated out of PS at low temperatures although it had an undesirably high residual solubility. The concept of solid solvent appears to be a viable one. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 20, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA146556
Entities
People
- C. I. Chung
Organizations
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute