Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The imbedded disk retraction method for measurement of interfacial tension between polymer melts

  • Original Contribution
  • Published:
Rheologica Acta Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A method for measuring interfacial tension of high viscosity polymer melts at elevated temperatures is described. The method involves the tracking of the shape evolution of a disk of one material imbedded in a second one. This makes it possible to determine the interfacial tension over a relatively short time period. The technique of preparing the samples makes it possible to measure on practically any combination of polymer melts without restrictions on viscosities and melting temperature, as long as one of the materials is transparent in the molten state.

The retraction of the disk is observed by using a microscope with a high resolution video camera. The camera is connected to a video frame grabber in a personal computer which is programmed to collect images with preselected time intervals. Data of the retraction is acquired by using an image analysis software, measuring the average radius of the disk.

The driving force for the shape evolution is interfacial tension and it is balanced by viscous forces. The analysis of the retraction process is done analytically with a simplified one-dimensional model. The model has been compared to experiments with the system PS/PMMA at 210 °C, covering viscosity ratios over a range of six decades and five different molecular weight values of PS. It is shown that interfacial tension can be determined over the whole range and a value of 1.1±0.2 mN/m was obtained for all samples.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anastasiadis SH, Gancarz I, Koberstein JT (1988) Interfacial tension of immicible polymer blends: temperature and molecular weight dependence. Macromolecules 21:2980–2987

    Google Scholar 

  • Bousmina M, Bataille P, Sapieha S, Schreiber HP (1995) Comparing the effect of corona treatment and block copolymer addition on rheological properties of polystyrene/polyethylene blends. J Rheol 39:499–517

    Google Scholar 

  • Carriere CJ, Cohen A (1991) Evaluation of the interfacial tension between high molecular weight polycarbonate and PMMA resins with the imbedded fiber retraction technique. J Rheol 35: 205–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Carriere CJ, Cohen A, Arends CB (1989) Estimation of interfacial tension using shape evolution of short fibers. J Rheol 33:681–689

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen CC (1993) Compatibilizing agents in polymer blends: interfacial tension, phase morphology, and mechanical properties. Polym Eng Sci 33:923–930

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen A, Carriere CJ (1989) Analysis of a retraction mechanism for imbedded polymeric fibers. Rheol Acta 28: 223–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen A, Rundqvist T, Klason C (1995) Measurement of interfacial tension of high viscosity polymer systems by the shape evolution of an imbedded disk. Annual Transactions of the Nordic Rheology Society 3S:5–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Demarquette NR, Kamal MR (1994) Interfacial tension in polymer melts. 1: An improved pendant drop apparatus. Polym Eng Sci 34:1823–1833

    Google Scholar 

  • Elemans PHM, Janssen JMH, Meijer HEH (1990) The measurement of interfacial tension in polymer/polymer systems: The breaking thread method. J Rheol 34:1311–1325

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellingson PC, Strand DA, Cohen A, Sammler RL, Carriere CJ (1994) Molecular weight dependence of polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) interfacial tension probed by imbedded-fiber retraction. Macromolecules 27:1643–1647

    Google Scholar 

  • Elmendrop JJ (1986) A study of polymer blending microrheology. Polym Eng Sci 26:418–426

    Google Scholar 

  • Elmendorp JJ, De Vos G (1986) Measurement of interfacial tension of molten polymer systems by means of the spinning drop method. Polym Eng Sci 26: 415–417

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferry JD (1980) Viscoelastic properties of polymers. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaines GL Jr (1972) Surface and interfacial tension of polymer liquids — A review. Polym Eng Sci 12:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaines GL Jr, Gaines GL III (1978) The interfacial tension between η-alkanes and poly(ethylene glycols). J of Colloid and Interface Sci 63:394–398

    Google Scholar 

  • Graebling D, Muller R (1991) Determination of interfacial tension of polymer melts by dynamic shear measurements. Colloids and Surfaces 55:89–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Gramespacher H, Meissner J (1992) Interfacial tension between polymer melts measured by shear oscillations of their blends. J Rheol 36:1127–1141

    Google Scholar 

  • Joseph DD, Arney MS, Gillberg G, Hu H, Hultman D, Verdier C, Vinagre TM (1992) A spinning drop tensioextensometer. J Rheol 36:621–662

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamal MR, Lai-Fook R, Demarquette NR (1994) Interfacal tension in polymer melts. Part II: Effects of temperature and molecular weight on interfacial tension. Polym Eng Sci 34:1834–1839

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar SK, Vacatello M, Yoon DY (1990) Off-lattice Monte Carlo simulations of polymer melts confined between two plates. 2. Effects of chain length and plate separation. Macromolecules 23: 2189–2197

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamb H (1932) Hydrodynamics, 6th ed., Cambridge University Press

  • LeGrand DG, Gaines GL Jr (1975) Immicibility and interfacial tension between polymer liquids: Dependence on molecular weight. J of Colloid and Interface Sci 50:272–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Luciani A, Champagne MF, Utracki LA (1995) Interfacial tension coefficient from the retraction of ellipsoidal drops. Proceedings of Polyblends '95/SPE Retec on Polymer Alloys and Blends. 19–20 October, Boucherville, QC, Canada 626–637

  • Patterson HT, Hu H, Grindstaff TH (1971) Measurement of interfacial and surface tension in polymer systems. J Polym Sci: Part C 34:31–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Rallison JM (1984) The deformation of small viscous drops and bubbles in shear flows. Ann Rev Fluid Mec 16:45–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Reddy Karri SB, Mathur VK (1988) Measurement of interfacial tension of immiscible liquids of equal density. AIChE Journal 34:155–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudd JF (1989) Physical constants of poly(styrene). Polymer Handbook, edited Brandrup J and Immergut EH, 3rd ed., J Wiley & Sons, New York: V/81–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Sammler RL, Dion RP, Carriere CJ, Cohen A (1992) Compatibility of high polymers probed by interfacial tension. Rheol Acta 31:554–564

    Google Scholar 

  • Suspense L, Pascault JP (1990) Incompatible ternary blends containing unsaturated polyester resins. II. Interfacial properties. J Appl Polym Sci 41: 2677–2689

    Google Scholar 

  • Tjahjadi M, Ottino JM, Stone HA (1994) Estimating interfacial tension via relaxation of drop shapes and filament breakup. AIChE Journal 40:385–394

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomotika S (1935) On the instability of a cylindrical thread of a viscous liquid surrounded by another viscous fluid. Proc Roy Soc, A 150:322–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu S (1970) Surface and interfacial tension of polymer melts. II. Poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(n-butyl methacrylate), and polystyrene. The Journal of Physical Chemistry 74:632–638

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu S (1971) Calculation of interfacial tension in polymer systems. J Polym Sci: Part C 34:19–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu S (1982) Polymer interface and adhesion. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu S (1987) Formation of dispersed phase in incompatible polymer blends: interfacial and rheological effects. Polym Eng Sci 27:335–343

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu S (1989) Surface and interfacial tension of polymers, oligomers, plasticizers, and organic pigments. Polymer Handbook, edited Brandrup J and Immergut EH, 3rd, ed J Wiley & Sons, New York: VI/411–434

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Production and Materials Engineering, Lund University, Box 118, 22100, Lund, Sweden

    Thomas Rundqvist

  2. The Dow Chemical Company, 1801 Building, 48674, Midland, Michigan, USA

    Arie Cohen

  3. Department of Polymeric and Textile Materials, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Carl Klason

Authors
  1. Thomas Rundqvist
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Arie Cohen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Carl Klason
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rundqvist, T., Cohen, A. & Klason, C. The imbedded disk retraction method for measurement of interfacial tension between polymer melts. Rheola Acta 35, 458–469 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00368996

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00368996

Key words

Search

Navigation