A novel miniature mixing device for polymeric blends and nanocomposites

A new miniature mixer has been developed to monitor and optimize the preparation protocol of various polymeric compounds and blend systems. The effect of mixing time and other basic processing parameters on the shear and extensional rheological properties of said compounds and blends is examined to understand the effect of undermixed and/or overmixed conditions on the rheological properties and thus the quality of the final products. Results from the new miniature mixer are compared with the results from other conventional mixing techniques to assess the scalability of the new mixing protocol. Two examples are used, those of polymer blending and nanocomposite formation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 49:2092‐2098, 2009. a 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers

[1]  S. Hatzikiriakos,et al.  Thermorheological properties of LLDPE/LDPE blends: Effects of production technology of LLDPE , 2008 .

[2]  S. Hatzikiriakos,et al.  Thermorheological properties of LLDPE/LDPE blends , 2008 .

[3]  S. Hatzikiriakos,et al.  Rheology of metallocene polyethylene-based nanocomposites: Influence of graft modification , 2006 .

[4]  S. Hatzikiriakos,et al.  The effect of nanoclays on the processibility of polyolefins , 2005 .

[5]  M. Sentmanat.  Miniature universal testing platform: from extensional melt rheology to solid-state deformation behavior , 2004 .

[6]  S. Hatzikiriakos,et al.  Fingerprinting the processing behavior of polyethylenes from transient extensional flow and peel experiments in the melt state , 2004 .

[7]  G. Galgali.  Synthesis structure processing property relationships in polymer nanocomposites , 2003 .

[8]  Jennifer A. Lee,et al.  Influence of clay exfoliation on the physical properties of montmorillonite/polyethylene composites , 2002 .

[9]  S. Hatzikiriakos.  Long chain branching and polydispersity effects on the rheological properties of polyethylenes , 2000 .

[10]  Chris Rauwendaal,et al.  Polymer Mixing: A Self-Study Guide , 1998 .

[11]  Pravin L. Shah.  Melt rheology and its role in plastics processing , 1997 .

[12]  Emmanuel P. Giannelis,et al.  Polymer Layered Silicate Nanocomposites , 1996 .

[13]  Kurt F. Wissbrun,et al.  Melt Rheology and Its Role in Plastics Processing: Theory and Applications , 1990 .

[14]  L. Utracki,et al.  Polymer Alloys and Blends , 1990 .