Structure of polyacetal polymer blends filled with carbon black

The morphology and electrical conductivity of polymer blends based on polyacetal (POM) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filled with carbon black (CB) were studied. CB was included alternatively in TPU. The morphological evidence was taken from the interfacial tension of each ingredient, which was estimated by the phase structure derived from Harkins's equation. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy and POM decomposition test indicate that this phase structure forms a co-continuous phase of the TPU, including CB particles. Compared with POM/CB blend, it was found that POM/TPU filled with CB was improved by the presence of CB as regards the heat decomposition of POM. We concluded that the lower heat decomposition was due to the morphology of CB included in TPU.