Deformação da fase dispersa e degradação de blendas poliméricas em extrusora dupla-rosca aberta e fechada

Abstract

In order to obtain flexibility of the processing in a twin-screw extruder and operate it as an internal mixer, the second phase dispersion and deformation and degradation were analyzed during processing in an open and closed twinscrew extruder. Three polymer mixtures with different viscosity ratios were reprocessed up to three times. After each reprocessing, samples were collected to in-line characterization in the extruder. Two characterization methods were applied: analyses of second phase deformation via turbidity and degradation analyzes. During measurements, the die pressure was controlled by a PID controller inserted in a software developed to permit the flexibility. In characterization of second phase deformation two discharge methods were used: ramp and step pressure increase and decrease. The level of droplet deformation was observed with a turbidity sensor during the melt flow through the extruder die. In the polymer mixture with viscosity ratio close to 1, the most intense turbidity variation with the die pressure has been detected due to higher reversible droplet deformation, mainly in polypropylene/polystyrene mixture. With high matrix elasticity, it was observed a hysteresis formation of the droplets due to high relaxation time of the matrix chains and with high viscosity ratio the droplet deformation was lower. In in-line degradation characterization, the die remained closed in all experiments, and three modes were applied: constant screw rotation speed, constant die pressure and oscillatory die pressure. Process parameters shifts were observed during experiments, except during high viscosity mixture processing. Immediately after closed die processing, it was applied a melt flow characterization during the melt discharge at constant die pressure. It was detected branching of polyethylene and chain scission of polypropylene and polystyrene.