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Blends of compatibilized polyoxymethylene (POM)/ethylene butylacrylate copolymer (EBA)/ethylene‐methyl acrylate‐glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (EMA‐GMA) and uncompatibilized POM/EBA were investigated. The notched impact strength of the compatibilized blends was higher than that of their uncompatibilized counterparts. The toughness of the POM blends was improved obviously with relatively low loading of EBA. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of EMA‐GMA, pure POM, and POM/EBA/EMA‐GMA blends indicated that epoxy groups of EMA‐GMA reacted with terminal hydroxyl groups of POM molecular chains. The glass‐transition temperature (Tg) values of the POM matrix and the EBA phase were observed shifted to each other in the presence of EMA‐GMA compatibilizer indicating that the compatibilized blends had better compatibility than their uncompatibilized counterparts. With the addition of EBA to POM, both the compatibilized and uncompatibilized blends showed higher onset degradation temperature (Td) than that of pure POM and the Td values of the compatibilized blends were higher than those of their uncompatibilized counterparts. The scanning electron microscopy showed better EBA particles distribution state in the compatibilized system than in the uncompatibilized one. The compatibilized blend with an obvious rougher impact fracture surface indicated the ductile fracture mode. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1127–1134, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

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We first investigated sulfonated poly(styrene-ran-ethylene) (SPSE) as a novel ionic membrane for electro-active polymer actuators. SPSE is a newly developed hydrocarbon ionomer synthesized through a post-sulfonation procedure. The thermal, electrical, morphological and mechanical properties, as well as ion-exchange capacity, proton conductivity and water uptake were investigated and compared to a Nafion  counterpart. Tensile tests revealed that the SPSE membrane has good mechanical stiffness and strength while immersed in water. SPSE copolymers have good thermal stability and are easily processed for the production of membranes. In this study, SPSE actuators were fabricated according to traditional ionomeric polymer-metal composite preparation procedures and tailored to moderate dimensions. The bending responses of the SPSE actuators under both AC and DC electric excitations were investigated. The voltage-current behaviors of the actuators under AC excitation were also measured. The results showed that the SPSE actuators have good electromechanical performance with regard to tip displacement.