Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview on the fibers from polymer blends. In fiber technology, two or more polymers may be incorporated into a product to obtain combinations of individual material characteristics or new ones by either of two routes, both of which are known as blending. The first is the older and well-developed concept of fiber–fiber blending in which conventional synthetic or natural fibers are mixed and are referred to as fiber blends. Fiber blending can be done in different ways. This chapter discusses an approach in which the polymer–polymer blends comprise the individual filaments that is known as the blend fibers. It is limited to synthetic fibers as the polymer blending occurs prior to fiber formation rather than in later steps of textile processing. The chapter also discusses the classification of blend fibers by phase morphology. The chapter further highlights the new products that lead to solving problems faced while using the old blend fiber. One polymer simply serves as a convenient fiber additive that has advantages over other potential additives because its high molecular weight makes it less prone to loss by evaporation or leaching and thereby more permanent. The chapter also discusses the improved hot–wet mechanical properties, flame retardance, and dyeability among other improved properties.

Fibers from Polymer Blends

Thermal degradation begins to be important when polymers are processed and fabricated for use. The threshold temperature for breakdown determines the upper limit of temperature in fabrication and the volatile products of degradation must be known in order to guarantee the safety of workers. These same properties are relevant to the potential use of a polymeric material and, in the extreme case, to the hazards presented by the polymer in a fire situation. However, there are also some useful aspects of thermal degradation. Examination of the breakdown products from polymers is increasingly used as a method of analysis. In a limited number of cases, controlled thermal degradation is important in recycling of plastics waste and in the special case of carbon fibre production, degradative reactions are an essential part of the manufacturing process.

15 – Thermal Degradation

S.L. Malhotra

Papers

Thermal decomposition of polystyrene, polyoxyethylene glycol and their mixtures by thermogravimetric techniques

Solution properties of poly p-isopropyl α-methylstyrene