Liquid-liquid phase separation in blends of a linear low-density polyethylene with a low-density polyethylene

A linear low-density butene copolymer, of overall branch content 3 mol %, has been blended with a low-density polyethylene. The low-density polyethylene has an overall branch content of 5 mol %, including both long and short branches. The two materials were blended in a wide range of compositions and the phase behavior investigated using indirect experimental methods, the examination of quenched blends by differential scanning calorimetry, and transmission electron microscopy. After quenching from temperatures up to 170°C, blends, of almost all compositions, show two crystal populations, separated on a micron scale. It is argued that this implies that the blends were phase separated in the melt before quenching. This behavior shows good agreement with predictions based on previous extensive studies of binary and ternary blends of linear with lightly branched polyethylenes.