Linear unsaturated polyester + poly(ɛ-caprolactone) blends: Calorimetric behaviour and morphology

Blends of a linear unsaturated polyester (LUP, commercially named Al100) with poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) of different molecular weights have been studied. The miscibility and crystallinity have been analyzed through FT-IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and environmental scanning electronic microscopy (ESEM). All the blends were subjected to the same heat treatment consisting of crystallizing during 45 min at constant temperature (10, 20, 30 or 40 °C). The glass transition temperature, Tg, and fusion temperature, Tfus, have been determined in the whole composition range for each blend. The Tg-composition dependence and the high degree of crystallinity detected at intermediate blend compositions denote an anomalous behaviour that could indicate the lack of homogeneity (phase separation) in the different blends studied. The ESEM measurements confirm the lack of homogeneity of the amorphous region in blends with high content of LUP. The results have been discussed as a function of the crystallization temperature and the molecular weight of PCL.