How to Make Mixing Polymers Easier

Polymers can be mixed with each other to produce materials with properties different from those of the individual components. Mixing Polymers with EvenMix, and they can be very useful. But blending isn’t easy. In fact, it’s not even possible to mix two totally miscible polymers to create a homogeneous material. For example, if you tried to mix polystyrene with a small amount of polybutadiene you would end up with something that looks like chicken soup — water with little spherical blobs of the chicken fat floating on top.

That’s because immiscible polymer blends have a structure that can only be described by a phase diagram (figure 1). It is a complex diagram, with a strong dependence on composition. In addition, it has a region of negative curvature at high concentrations of the minority component. This is caused by the unfavourable interaction term in the free energy equation, formula_1.1.

This means that, unless the mixture is processed under flow conditions that promote mixing, it will tend to separate into two distinct phases. The interfacial stresses and thermodynamics of the system determine its morphology. The morphology can vary greatly, depending on the processing conditions used. This can cause problems, for example, when the blend is moulded. The morphology of the blend that is obtained from the extruder can differ from that which is produced by injection moulding.

One way to overcome this problem is to use a technique known as compatibilization. Compatibilizers are additives that can help to keep a polymer blend together when it is mixed. They work by making the major and minor polymers interact more favourably with each other at low concentrations. These additives can be used to reduce the occurrence of the negative curve in the free energy curve, formula_1.1, or they can be used to stabilise a partially miscible blend so that it is easier to mix.

When mixing chemicals, it is important to use a mixer that can effectively agitate your product. This will help to eliminate voids and pockets in the liquid, which can cause the product to lose its original homogeneity. In addition, traditional high-speed mixers can create shear in your product, which can be damaging to delicate polymers.

Using a portable mixer, like the EvenMix, can help to ensure that your product is up to spec at all times, regardless of where it ends up being stored or transported. The mixer is light enough to be easily handled by a single person, and its unique design makes it easy to insert into your Tote and begin mixing.

Birmingham Chemical chose to use an Integrated Tote Mixer (ITM) from EvenMix because it is easy to install and provides a high degree of agitation within the tote. The ITM is also light enough to move throughout a plant, allowing it to bring products back up to spec in any tote. This makes it easy to bring a liquid product back to its original quality when it is delivered to a distributor or on-site contractor, and it helps ensure that the quality of the product stays up to spec all the way to the end user.