Polycarbonate-based composites reinforced by in situ polytetrafluoroethylene fibrillation: Preparation, thermal and rheological behavior

Fibrillar reinforced composites of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polycarbonate (PC) were prepared by in situ fibrillation of PTFE into PC matrix using twin screw extruder. Different samples were obtained by varying the relative ratio between PC and PTFE. The rheological properties of the PC/PTFE composites were found to depend on concentration of the PTFE fibrils. The melt strength analysis in nonisothermal conditions was also studied. The increase in force and decrease in drawability with increasing the PTFE content are associated with the PTFE fibrils formed in situ during the thermomechanical process in twin screw extruder. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42401.