Stress--strain behavior as related to surface topography and thickness uniformity in uni-and biaxially stretched PVDF/PMMA blends

The influence of blend composition and processing conditions on the surface roughness and thickness uniformity of PVDF/PMMA blends were investigated in uniaxial and biaxial deformation mode for PVDV and PVDF/PMMA blends 70/30, 55/45, and 40/60 wt%. The addition of PMMA retards the thermal crystallizability of the blends and this allows rapid solidification into films with little or no crystallinities. Such precursors with lowered crystallinity were found to be easily uni- and biaxially stretched into uniform and transparent films in the temperature range between the glass transition temperature and cold crystallization temperature where they exhibit strain hardening. Thus, these blends are suitable for processes such as tenter frame biaxial stretching, double bubble film blowing, and stretch blow molding where they will exhibit good transparency and thickness uniformity. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:2110–2117, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers