Quantitative measurements of spherical particle size distribution in a phase separated matrix

In many multicomponent polymeric blend systems micro-phase separation takes place to form dispersed phases within a continuous matrix phase. The mechanical and physical properties of this type of material are often dependent on the number, size, interspacing and volume fraction of the dispersed phase particles. These morphological parameters can be estimated once a correct three-dimensional distribution is established. The use of microscopy for the quantitative study of these parameters presents difficulties arising from the fact that it provides only two-dimensional information. Several statistical treatments to convert two-dimensional distributions to three-dimensional distributions have been developed. These methods were tested with known systems by a computer simulation. Error analysis for estimated distributions as well as suggestions of experimental procedures to more quantitatively deal with this problem are discussed. (Example material: rubber-modified epoxy resin.)