Blends of semi-rigid substituted poly(p-phenylene) with BPA-polycarbonate

The rheological properties of Parmax 1200, a new semi-flexible substituted polyphenylene, were investigated. The reported high stiffness of the material was confirmed. The rheological measurements proved that, despite the very high stiffness of the molecules, Parmax showed shear thinning and that, although the viscosity is very high and the melt is highly elastic, the polymer can be extruded in the melt. A worm-like morphology was detected in AFM and TEM. This morphology could explain the reported mechanical and rheological behaviour. The compatibility with flexible chain polymers (e.g. polycarbonate) could also be explained by the worm-like morphology.