COMPATIBILITY IN IMMISCIBLE POLY(ETHER ETHER KETONE)/POLY(ETHER SULFONE) BLENDS

Both as-molded and annealed poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)/poly(ether sulfone) (PES) blends have been prepared by direct injection molding. The system has been found to be immiscible at all compositions; however, as a result mainly of the produced morphology, it surprisingly maintains to a very great extent the excellent mechanical performance of both of the pure components. This mechanical response is compared with that of the compression molded blends. The ductility of these blends when quenched appears close to the linear between that of the two components. Leaving aside possible morphological and excess free volume of mixing effects, it is in part attributed to the nature of the blend itself. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.