Cellulose ester-polyolefine binary blend: Morphological, rheological and mechanical properties

Binary blends of thermoplastic polymers, one being a polyolefin (high density polyethylene) and the other a bio-based polymer (cellulose acetate butyrate) were prepared with various components proportions. No compatibiliser was used. Depending on blend composition, different morphologies were obtained, from fine nodular to co-continuous. Blends viscoelastic and mechanical properties were studied in details in all range of compositions. The results obtained were interpreted using a careful analysis of the viscoelastic properties of the initial components and classical approaches developed for immiscible blends. Except the blends containing low amount of cellulose acetate butyrate finely dispersed in polyethylene, all other blends viscoelastic and mechanical properties follow the additive mixing rule.

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► Binary blends of polyethylene and cellulose ester prepared and characterised.
► Viscoelastic, mechanical and morphological properties studied.
► Nodular and co-continuous morphologies predicted and obtained.
► Blend viscoelastic properties obey the additive rule except with fine CAB droplets.