Compatibilizing Action of a Poly(styrene–butadiene) Triblock Co-polymer in ABS/PET-G Blends

Abstract

AbstractThe morphology of blends of poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene) (ABS) and poly (ethylene terephthalate glycol (PET-G) has been investigated with special reference to the effect of blend ratio and compatibilization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination revealed different morphologies such as dispersed, cocontinuous and phase inverted depending on the composition, indicating that the binary blends are immiscible and forms a two-phase structure. Tensile properties decreased with increase in the ABS content while the impact strength reached an optimum at ca. 70% ABS. Influence of a triblock copolymer based on styrene and butadiene (SBS) on morphology, mechanical measurements and failure topography was used as criteria of the compatibilization effect. The compatiblizing action of SBS was evidenced by the sharp decrease in domain size of the dispersed phase followed by an increase at higher concentrations. The conformation of the compatibilizer at the interface was further analyzed based on the area occupied by the compatibilizer at the blend interface. The results were in agreement with the theoretical predictions of Noolandi and Hong. The extent of interface adhesion in these blends was analyzed by examination of the fracture-surface morphology. Addition of SBS also improved notched impact, elongationat-break, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. These results confirm that SBS is an effective compatibilizer for ABS/PET-G blends.

Effect of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene/polyethylene terephthalate blends on dimensional stability, morphological, physical and mechanical properties and after aging at elevated temperature

“…At 50 wt.% ABS, a co-continuous morphology occurred (see morphology studies Figure 6). That reduced the toughening efficiency from the rubber phase particle agglomeration instead of fine dispersion as explained by Joseph et al 12 As the ABS concentration increased further, the PET behaved like a reinforcing agent in an amorphous ABS matrix and improved the tensile strength while having no significant effect on the unnotched impact properties.…”

“…10 In order to achieve synergistic property improvements of individual components, like better processability, higher impact strength, better chemical resistance, many commercial polymer blends have been developed using an extrusion-compounding process. [11][12][13] Blended amorphous materials like ABS or polycarbonate (PC) and crystalline materials like polyamide (PA), polybutadiene terephthalate (PBT), and PET have been studied in last few decades to overcome difficulties in compatibilization and to combine desirable features of both polymers. 14,15 On the other hand, for applications requiring good surface quality and higher temperature resistance than neat ABS, ABS/PC blends have been investigated but for several applications, these blends were cost prohibitive.…”

“…11,13,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] ABS copolymer is the most commonly used engineering thermoplastic because it has a competitive price/performance ratio and there have been several attempts to improve ABS properties such as chemical resistance and mechanical properties. 1,12,13,19,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] However, ABS blend dimensional stability at higher temperatures which is an important parameter during the paint curing process to shorten curing time with increased productivity 4-6 has attracted little attention. Weakly-Bollin 7 described that ABS thermal stress relaxation starts around 75-80 C in which the residual stresses imposed during the injection molding release with the increased temperature and might cause the dimensional instability.…”

“…10 In order to achieve synergistic property improvements of individual components, like better processability, higher impact strength, better chemical resistance, many commercial polymer blends have been developed using an extrusion-compounding process. 11–13…”

Compatibilizing action and localization of clay in a polypropylene/natural rubber (PP/NR) blend

“…Schematic representation for dispersed clay structureThe interface saturation up on the addition of clay can be further explained based on Weber equation35 , which explains the change in dispersed domain size as function of shear rate, viscosity of the matrix and interfacial tension.…”