Preliminary study of static light scattering behaviors and morphologies of polymer blend between high-density polyethylene and linear low-density polyethylene

Abstract

To study the static light scattering behaviors and the morphologies of polymer blends between high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). The blends were investigated by Small Angle Light Scattering (SALS) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at various concentration. New modification of SALS by digital camera, new numerical analysis of the 2D image and computer program were used and they can be used to relate the microstructures and the image of SALS. This process can be performed within 10 minutes after getting SALS data and the radius of spherulite, Rs. From the simplified equation of the SALS images and statistical methods, we can link the radius of spherulite, Rs, to predict the most suitable image of various concentrations of these blends. By etching methods, SEM micrographs of the blends confirm the co-crystallization of HDPE and LLDPE. The systematic methods of measurements and the methods of analysis developed in this work can be extended to study other crystalline polymer blends SALS with some minor modifications