Polymer additives and solubility parameters

The solid and liquid additives used in polymers can be characterized by Hansen solubility parameters (HSP). Compatibility is found when these parameters for the polymer and the additive are close enough to each other. Mismatches lead to phase separation, or in the case of solid surfaces, to poorer adhesion than that otherwise attainable. Where the additives have distinctly different segments, such as surface-active agents, the respective segments seek regions of similar energy (HSP). Some additional information is included in [2]. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.