Influence of the elasticity ratio on the point of phase inversion in an immiscible polymer blend
Résumé
At a shear rate of 10 s−1, a flow-induced phase inversion has been observed in-situ by optical microscopy on a blend of polydimethylsiloxane with solution of 50% of hydroxypropylcellulose in water for a range of concentrations. By increasing the shear rate up to 30 s−1, the elasticity ratio of the components can be changed without changing the viscosity ratio. The resultant steady-state morphology is not influenced by the variation of the elasticity ratio, contrary to a theoretical model.