Influence of the Preparation Technique on the Morphological Characterization of Polymeric Blends

Abstract

Morphology-property relationships are among the parameters which determine the practical use of polymer blends. However, very few reports in the literature realize that the preparation technique of the samples for being examined by a particular methodology, is crucial for the final results. Indeed, in the case of Electron Microscopy, for instance, for the studies of polymer and copolymer blends, very little care is taken in analyzing the effect of, for example, using dissolution for preparing samples or how a microtomy process could affect the observation. Accordingly, in this work a study of the influence of different preparation techniques for SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) analysis of Ethylene Vynil Acetate/Polypropylene blends (EVA/PP), including a discussion on the relevance of various physical or chemical factors affecting the observation, is presented.

Key Words:

• Polymer blends
• morphology
• SEM
• ethylene vinyl acetate/polypropylene