Kinetics of flow-induced coalescence and form relaxation in polymer blends as studied by rheo small angle light scattering

The kinetics of flow‐induced coalescence in PS/PMMA (polystyrene/polymethylmethacrylate) blends containing 1 wt% and 5 wt% PMMA was measured by rheo small angle light scattering under conditions of non‐deformed droplets. The results are in agreement with a coalescence model which includes binary hydrodynamic interactions. Under conditions where droplet deformation occurs, coalescence is suppressed and the interfacial tension was determined from the form relaxation time on the basis of the Palierne model.