A blown film process to disk-shaped polymer ellipsoids

A simple blown film process has been demonstrated, that can uniformly deform polymer spheres ellipsoids (Oblate Spheroids) with the use of core/shell composite colloids. PS spheres were prepared through an emulsion polymerization process by using styrene dispersed in H₂O. The composite film was mounted on the wide opening of a ceramic filter by using a steel clamp. A polyethylene film was switched between the funnel and the composite film to improve the seal. The tip of the filter was sealed with a rubber stopper, and the film was fully immersed in a silicone bath, which had been preheated. Careful inspection of the silica core in the cross-sectional view indicates that it is still covered with a thin polymer layer after stretching, suggesting a good adhesion between the polystyrene and the silica surface.