Polystyrene and polyether polyurethane elastomer blends compatibilized by SMA: Morphology and mechanical properties

Blends of polystyrene (PS) and the polyether polyurethane elastomer (PU‐et) were prepared by melt mixing using poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) (SMA) containing 7 wt % of maleic anhydride as a compatibilizer. The polyurethane in the blends was crosslinked using dicumyl peroxide or sulfur. The content of maleic anhydride was varied in the blends through the addition of different SMA amounts. The morphology of the blends was analyzed by SEM and a drastic reduction of both the domain size and its distribution was observed with increase of the anhydride content in the blends. The morphology of the PU‐et blends also showed dependence on the crosslinker agent used for the elastomer, and larger domains were obtained for the elastomer phase crosslinked with dicumyl peroxide. The mechanical properties of the blends were evaluated by flexural and impact strength tests. The blend containing 0.5 wt % of maleic anhydride and 20 wt % of PU‐et crosslinked with sulfur showed the highest strength impact, which was three times superior to the PS strength impact, and the blends containing 20 wt % of PU‐et crosslinked with dicumyl peroxide showed the highest deflection at break independent of the anhydride content. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 830–837, 2002     

Effect of 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane on properties of poly(butyl acrylate‐co‐maleic anhydride)/silica hybrid materials

The transparent poly(butyl acrylate‐co‐maleic anhydride)/silica [P(BA‐co‐MAn)/SiO₂] has been successfully prepared from butyl acrylate‐maleic anhydride copolymer P(BA‐co‐MAn) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the presence of 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) by an in situ sol–gel process. Triethoxysilyl group can be readily incorporated into P(BA‐co‐MAn) as pendant side chains by the aminolysis of maleic anhydride unit of copolymer with APTES, and then organic polymer/silica hybrid materials with covalent bonds between two phases can be formed via the hydrolytic polycondensation of triethoxysilyl group‐functionalized polymer with TEOS. It was found that the amount of APTES could dramatically affect the gel time of sol–gel system, the sol fraction of resultant hybrid materials, and the thermal properties of hybrid materials obtained. The decomposition temperature of hybrid materials and the final residual weight of thermogravimetry of hybrid both increase with the increasing of APTES. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the morphology of hybrid materials prepared in the presence of APTES was a co‐continual phase structure. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 419–424, 1999     

The effect of the incorporation of polystyrene‐based chain extenders on the properties of the shape memory polyurethanes

In this work, the idea of modulating the shape memory properties of polyurethanes by changing their macromolecular architecture through the incorporation of polystyrene‐based moieties was investigated. To study these effects, poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) (SMA) was incorporated during the synthesis of PU as a potential chain extender. Two sample groups were produced: (i) PU, produced with hydrazine as a chain extender and (ii) PU_SMA, produced with the addition of SMA instead of hydrazine. The results suggest that the SMA incorporation in the PU_SMA chains occurred by the reaction between NCO groups of the PU and maleic anhydride (MA) of the SMA. The presence of SMA was useful in modulating the structure of PU by reducing the soft segment crystallinity and molar mass. These changes in the structure and macromolecular architecture due to the presence of SMA moieties in PU chains led to pronounced improvements in strength, toughness, and the shape recovery ratio. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44471.     

Polystyrene and polyester polyurethane elastomer blends compatibilized by SMA

Blends of polystyrene (PS) with polyester polyurethane elastomer (PU‐es) were compatibilized by addition of poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) (SMA) containing 7 wt % of maleic anhydride. Binary nonreactive (PS/PU‐es) blends, binary reactive (SMA/PU‐es) blends, and ternary reactive blends (PS/SMA/PU‐es) were prepared with 10 and 20 wt % of PU‐es. The maleic anhydride content in the ternary reactive blends was varied through addition of different SMA amounts from 0.5 to 5 wt %. Polyurethane in the blends was crosslinked by using dicumyl peroxide or sulfur to improve its mechanical properties. The experimental processing conditions, such as temperature and rotor speed in an internal mixer, were analyzed before blend preparation by processing the individual polymers, PS and SMA, and the PS/PU‐es nonreactive blend (90/10), to prevent the degradation of the polymer during melt mixing and to assure macroscopic homogeneity. The torque behavior during the mixture indicated a grafting copolymerization, which was responsible for the significant drop of the PU‐es domain size in the glassy matrix, as observed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The miscibility of the glassy matrix, which was shown to be dependent on the composition and the phase behavior of ternary blends, became very complex as the SMA concentration increased, as concluded from dynamical–mechanical analysis. Blends containing 20 wt % of PU‐es presented an increase up to a factor of 2 in the deflection at break in relation to PS. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2297–2304, 2004     

Effects of poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl chloride‐co‐vinyl acetate) low‐profile additives on properties of cured unsaturated polyester resins. II. glass‐transition temperatures and mechanical properties

Three series of self‐synthesized poly(vinyl acetate)‐based low‐profile additives (LPAs), including poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl chloride‐co‐vinyl acetate), and poly(vinyl chloride‐co‐vinyl acetate‐co‐maleic anhydride), with different chemical structures and molecular weights were studied. Their effects on the glass‐transition temperatures and mechanical properties for thermoset polymer blends made from styrene, unsaturated polyester, and LPAs were investigated by an integrated approach of the static phase characteristics, cured sample morphology, reaction kinetics, and property measurements. Based on Takayanagi mechanical models, the factors that control the glass‐transition temperature in each phase region of the cured samples and the mechanical properties are discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3347–3357, 2003     

Synthesis of polyethylene‐graft‐poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) and its compatibilizing effects on polyethylene/starch blends

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) was reacted with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐l‐piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) to prepare a latent macroinitiator, PE–TEMPO. Little polymer was synthesized when maleic anhydride (MAH) was bulk polymerized in the presence of the PE–TEMPO. However, addition of styrene accelerated the polymerization rate and PE‐grafted‐poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhyride) [PE‐g‐P(ST‐co‐MAH)] was produced to a high yield. Chemical reaction between MAH units and hydroxyl groups of starch was nearly undetectable in the PE/PE‐g‐P(ST‐co‐MAH)/starch blend system, and the tensile properties of the blend were not enhanced significantly. However, addition of tetrabutyl titanate (TNBT) during the blending procedure improved the tensile properties significantly through an increased interfacial adhesion between the components in the blend system. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2434–2438, 2003     

Functional polymers for colloidal applications. XIV. Syntheses of styrene–maleic anhydride copolymers with different charges and their ability to disperse kaolinite particles

Four kinds of styrene/maleic–anhydride (SMA) copolymer‐derived dispersants with different charged forms were synthesized and characterized with ¹H‐NMR. These four different dispersants contained carboxylic acid groups and exhibited characteristics indicative of anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, or nonionic surfactants as pH was changed. The charge properties of these copolymers changes with pH, and their ability to disperse clay particles under low and high pH were assessed by measuring viscosity or sedimentation, as well as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the dispersing abilities are functions of pH of the system. It was found that SMA‐N [Poly(styrene‐co‐β‐N,N‐dimethylpropylamino) maleic acid, sodium salt)] exhibits the best dispersing ability, the fastest rate of sedimentation, and the smallest sedimentation volume at pH = 2, and SMA‐Na [poly(styrene‐co‐maleic acid, disodium salt)] exhibits the better dispersing ability at pH = 7 and 12. In addition, the aggregation behavior of the dispersants characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that the degree of aggregation for all dispersants at high concentration increases in the order: SMA‐Na < SMA‐B [poly(styrene‐co‐B‐imino‐propyl‐N‐trimethylammonium acetate) maleic acid, disodium salt)] < SMA‐N < SMA‐Q [poly(styrene‐co‐β‐imino‐propyl‐N‐trimethylammonium sulfate) maleic acid, sodium salt)]. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 592–602, 2000     

Investigation on the morphological and mechanical properties of (polyamide 6)/(poly[styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile])/(poly[styrene‐b‐{ethylene‐co‐butylene}‐b‐styrene]) ternary blends

In this work, ternary polymer blends based on (polyamide 6)/(poly[styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile])/(poly[styrene‐b‐{ethylene‐co‐butylene}‐b‐styrene]) (SEBS) triblock copolymer and a varying concentration of the reactive (maleic anhydride)‐grafted SEBS were prepared by using a melt‐blending process. The effects of the material parameters (composition of ternary blends and SEBS/[{maleic anhydride}‐grafted SEBS] concentration ratio) and blending sequence on the morphological and mechanical properties of ternary blends were studied. Taguchi experimental design methodology was employed to design the experiments and select the material and processing parameters for the optimized mechanical properties. Tensile properties (Young's modulus and yield stress) and impact strength were considered as the response variables. It was demonstrated that there is a meaningful relationship between the composition of blends, processing parameters, observed phase structure, and obtained mechanical properties. The mechanical tests showed that the highest impact strength was achieved as the dispersion of the rubbery phase achieved an optimum size of about 1 μm. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 23:329–337, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Ultrathin Films from Fluorine Containing Polymers: Fabrication and Characterization

Monolayers and ultrathin films of some fluorine containing polymers were prepared by the Langmuir‐Blodgett (LB) technique. The polymers were obtained using two main synthetic approaches: firstly, polyamide (PA‐1) and polyimide (PI‐1) were prepared from direct polycondensation of 4,4′‐hexafluoroisopropylidenediphthalic anhydride and 4,4′‐hexafluoroisopropylidenedianiline in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP). The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for PI‐1 yielded 580°C by 1% weight loss. They formed stable monolayers with a collapse pressure of 62 mN/m and a collapse area of 0.20 nm² per repeat unit (R.U.) in the case of PA‐1, for PI‐1 the collapse pressure was 60 mN/m associated with a collapse area of 0.23 nm² per R.U. Secondly, poly[(maleic acid perfluorooctylamide‐imide)‐co‐ethylene] (PAPE) with fluorinated side chains was synthesized from poly[(maleic anhydride)‐co‐ethylene]. They formed stable monolayers too. Multilayer depositions onto various substrates were possible for all the synthesized polymers. LB films were characterized by ultra‐violet/visible spectroscopy (UV‐Vis), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), dielectric spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Gas phase polymerization of tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate (TFPM) was carried out in the presence of macroinitiator, poly[octadecene‐co‐(maleic anhydride)] modified with tert‐butyl hydroperoxide. Film thickness could be controlled on different hydrophobic substrates varying the reaction time.     

Preparation and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/bamboo flour composites with a novel block copolymer as a coupling agent

To improve the interfacial adhesion between poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and bamboo flour in PVC/bamboo flour composites, a novel coupling agent, poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride)‐block‐poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) {P[(SMA)‐b‐(SAN)]}, was synthesized through living free‐radical polymerization in a one‐pot reaction. P[(SMA)‐b‐(SAN)] was synthesized by a nitroxide‐mediated polymerization technique in the presence of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐l‐oxyl with azobisisobutyronitrile. The conversion of maleic anhydride (>99%) and styrene (>65%) was relatively high and yielded P[(SMA)‐b‐(SAN)] with a narrow molecular weight distribution (weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight <1.38). PVC was blended with bamboo flours in the presence of the synthesized coupling agent with a two‐roll mill. P[(SMA)‐b‐(SAN)] was added to the PVC matrix at a concentration of 55 or 20 wt %. As the content of P[(SMA)‐b‐(SAN)] in the wood–polymer composite increased, improved morphological and mechanical behaviors were observed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation of hairy particles by grafting PEG onto the poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) surface and PEG effect on SiO2 nanoparticles adsorption

Hairy particles were prepared by immobilization of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on the surface of poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) (poly(S‐co‐MA)) spheres. It was found that the carbonyl groups on the poly(S‐co‐MA) surface can be conveniently esterified with the hydroxyl groups of PEG. Chemical and morphological changes were analyzed by FT‐IR, TEM, and water contact angle. Results revealed that, with the immobilization of PEG, the morphology of poly(S‐co‐MA) turned from a smooth surface to a hairy‐like structure and the hydrophilicity of the polymer particles improved. In addition, berry‐like polymer/silica particles can be obtained by using the hairy particles as template. The PEG hairy chains show steric repulsion during the deposition of silica nanoparticles by in situ sol‐gel process. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Synthesis of pH‐responsive crosslinked poly[styrene‐co‐(maleic sodium anhydride)] and cellulose composite hydrogel nanofibers by electrospinning

BACKGROUND: Stimuli‐sensitive materials show enormous potential in the development of drug delivery systems. But the low response rate of most stimuli‐sensitive materials limits their wider application. We propose that electrospinning, a technique for the preparation of ultrafine fibrous materials with ultrafine diameters, may be used to prepare materials with a fast response to stimuli. RESULTS: Poly[styrene‐co‐(maleic sodium anhydride)] and cellulose (SMA‐Na/cellulose) hydrogel nanofibers were prepared through hydrolysis of precursor electrospun poly[styrene‐co‐(maleic anhydride)]/cellulose acetate (SMA/CA) nanofibers. In the presence of diethylene glycol, the SMA/CA composite nanofibers were crosslinked by esterification at 145 °C, and then hydrolyzed to yield crosslinked SMA‐Na/cellulose hydrogel nanofibers. These nanofibers showed better mechanical strengths and were pH responsive. Their water swelling ratio showed a characteristic two‐step increase at pH = 5.0 and 8.2, with the water swelling ratio reaching a maximum of 27.6 g g^?1 at pH = 9.1. CONCLUSION: The crosslinked SMA‐Na hydrogel nanofibers supported on cellulose showed improved dimensional stability upon immersion in aqueous solutions. They were pH responsive. This new type of hydrogel nanofiber is a potential material for biomedical applications. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modification of recycled polycarbonate with core‐shell structured latexes for enhancement of impact resistance and flame retardancy

Two types of core‐shell structured latexes, poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐butadiene‐co‐styrene) (MBS) and poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐methylphenyl siloxane‐co‐styrene) (MSiS) were used to modify recycled polycarbonate (PC) for the enhancement of toughness and flame retardancy. The impact strength of the modified PC blends was not improved after melt‐blending recycled PC with these two kinds of latexes, probably because the latex particles were not evenly dispersed in the PC matrix because of the incompatibility between PC and PMMA shell of the latexes. Addition of a compatibilizer, e.g. diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A or poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride), can effectively enhance the toughening effect of recycled PC with core‐shell structured modifiers. The presence of compatibilizer in the blends reduces the interfacial tension and introduces a steric hindrance to coalescence, and thus enhances the interfacial adhesion between PC domain and PMMA shell, and improves the dispersion of core‐shell structured particles in the PC matrix. The ternary blends achieve a high impact resistance by cavitation of the particles, which relieves the triaxial stress and promotes massive shear yielding of the matrix, and then enables the matrix to fracture by the plane stress ductile tearing mode. Additionally, MSiS has a silicone‐based core and can effectively retard the combustion of recycled PC. The blends containing 7 wt % MSiS and 3 wt % compatibilizer can achieve a UL94 V‐0 rating in vertical burning test. We proposed that, during combustion, a fine dispersion of MSiS particles in the PC matrix facilitates the rapid migration of MSiS and formation of a uniform and highly flame resistant char barrier on the surface of the modified PC. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of poly(3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐co‐maleic anhydride‐co‐vinyl acetate)

The radical‐initiated terpolymerization of 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran (DHP), maleic anhydride (MA), and vinyl acetate (VA), which were used as a donor–acceptor–donor system, was carried out in methyl ethyl ketone in the presence of 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator at 65°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. The synthesis and characterization of binary and ternary copolymers, some kinetic parameters of terpolymerization, the terpolymer‐composition/thermal‐behavior relationship, and the antitumor activity of the synthesized polymers were examined. The polymerization of the DHP–MA–VA monomer system predominantly proceeded by the alternating terpolymerization mechanism. The in vitro cytotoxicities of poly(3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐alt‐maleic anhydride) [poly(DHP‐alt‐MA)] and poly(3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐co‐maleic anhydride‐co‐vinyl acetate) [poly(DHP‐co‐MA‐co‐VA)] were evaluated with Raji cells (human Burkitt lymphoma cell line). The antitumor activity of the prepared anion‐active poly(DHP‐alt‐MA) and poly(DHP‐co‐MA‐co‐VA) polymers were studied with methyl–thiazol–tetrazolium testing, and the 50% cytotoxic dose was calculated. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2352–2359, 2005     

Polypropylene/clay nanocomposites: Combined effects of clay treatment and compatibilizer polymers on the structure and properties

Combined effects of clay treatment and compatibilizer polymers on the structure and properties of polypropylene/clay nanocomposites were studied. Dynamic mechanical analysis was used to analyze comparatively the dynamic mechanical response of different nanocomposites prepared from polypropylene and montmorillonite‐rich bentonite, and to relate such response with the material microstructure. Two different bentonites were used: a purified Spanish natural bentonite was organophillized by means of 11‐undecyl‐ammonium ion and a commercial bentonite organophillized with dimethyl dehydrogenated tallow ammonium ion. Three different polar copolymers were employed as compatibilizer agents in some of the formulations: maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene, maleic anhydride‐grafted poly(styrene‐co‐ethylenebutylene‐co‐styrene), and poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐isophthalate) (PET). To ascertain the microstructure characteristics in the nanocomposites, wide angle X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry techniques were used. The nanocomposites containing both bentonite organophillized with 11‐undecyl‐ammonium ion and PET, and maleated PP as compatibilizer system, were found to have the highest storage modulus and the smallest loss factor values, which was mainly due to the better clay platelets dispersion. The dynamic mechanical response of nanocomposites prepared with bentonite organophillized with dimethyl dehydrogenated tallow ammonium ion and maleated SEBS was strongly affected by the presence of this compatibilizer. The temperature of PP and α, β, and γ relaxations strongly depended on the interactions between the different phases in the nanocomposites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 1213–1223, 2006     

Preparation of well‐defined block copolymer having one polystyrene segment and another poly(styrene‐alt‐maleic anhydride) segment with RAFT polymerization

Block copolymers, polystyrene‐b‐poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride), have been prepared by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization technique using three different approaches: 1‐phenylethyl phenyldithioacetate (PEPDTA) directly as RAFT agent, mediated polystyrene (PS) block as the macromolecular PS‐RAFT agent and mediated poly(styrene‐maleic anhydride) (SMA) block with alternating sequence as the macromolecular SMA‐RAFT agent. Copolymers synthesized in the one‐step method using PEPDTA as RAFT agent possess one PS block and one SMA block with gradient structure. When the macromolecular RAFT agents are employed, copolymers with one PS block and one alternating SMA block can be produced. However, block copolymers with narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) can only be obtained using the PS‐RAFT agent. The MWD deviates considerably from the typical RAFT polymerization system when the SMA is used as the RAFT agent. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Compatibility effect of reactive copolymers on polypropylene/polyamide 6 blends from commingled plastic wastes

We report the compatibility effect on a recycled polypropylene/nylon (75/25) blend processed with reactive copolymers on the basis of morphological, mechanical, and rheological characteristics. Via a scanning electron microscopy investigation, we found improved surface morphologies with regular and fine domains in a recycled polypropylene/nylon (75/25) blend compatibilized with copolymers containing maleic anhydride as a reactive functional group [styrene–(ethylene/butylene)–styrene‐graft‐maleic anhydride copolymer and polypropylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride]. Large increases in both the mechanical and rheological properties with the addition of the styrene–(ethylene/butylene)–styrene‐graft‐maleic anhydride copolymer could be interpreted with respect to a specific structure at the interface, showing a strong interfacial adhesion between recycled polypropylene and nylon. To confirm the existence of this structure, we used various dynamic rheological parameters: the Cox–Merz rule, storage modulus, and phase angle. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1188–1193, 2006     

Kinetics and simulation of the imidization of poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) with amines

The imidization of poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) with amines may improve some of its end‐use properties. The objective of this study was to examine the mechanism and kinetics with aniline (ANL) as an amine of the preparation of poly(styrene‐co‐N‐phenyl maleimide). The reaction was carried out in a tetrahydrofuran solution at 25–55°C and in an ethylbenzene solution at 85–120°C. The extent of the reaction was determined by conductance titration, a new and simple method. Two consecutive reactions were involved in the imidization: ring opening to produce an acido‐amide group and ring closing to form a corresponding imide group. The imidization rate was greatly influenced by the reaction temperature and the molar ratio of ANL to the anhydride. A model for the imidization kinetics over a wide range of reaction temperatures and concentration ranges was developed and validated. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2744–2749, 2006     

Ionomeric blends of poly(ethylene oxide) with poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) ionomer: Miscibility,crystallization, and melting behavior

The miscibility and crystallization behavior of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) ionomer (SMAI) blends were studied by the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). This study has demonstrated that the presence of ion–dipole interactions enhances the miscibility of otherwise immiscible polymers in the PEO and high molecular weight poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) (SMA). The effect of ion–dipole interactions on enhancing miscibility is confirmed by the presence of a single glass transition temperature (T_g) and a depression of the equilibrium melting temperature of the PEO component. The equilibrium melting temperature of PEO in the blends are obtained using Hoffman‐Weeks plots. The interaction energy density, β, is calculated from these data using the Nishi‐Wang equation. The results suggest that PEO and SMAI blends are thermodynamically miscible in the melt. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 1–7, 2000     

Mechanical properties of wollastonite‐reinforced polypropylene composites modified with SEBS and SEBS‐g‐MA elastomers

Mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene/wollastonite/styrene rubber block copolymers (iPP/wollastonite/SRBC) composites were studied as a function of elastomeric poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene) triblock copolymer (SEBS) and SEBS grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA) content from 0 to 20 vol%. Microphase morphology was stronger influenced by SRBC elastomers than by different wollastonite types. Higher encapsulation ability of SEBS‐g‐MA than SEBS caused more expressive core‐shell morphology and consequently higher notched impact strength as well as yield parameters, but lower Young's modulus. Higher ductility of the composites with SEBS than with SEBS‐g‐MA has been primarily caused by better miscibility of the polypropylene chains with SEBS molecules. Surface properties of components and adhesion parameters also indicated that adhesion at SEBS‐g‐MA/wollastonite interface, which was stronger than the one at the SEBS/wollastonite interface, influenced higher encapsulation of wollastonite particles by SEBS‐g‐MA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1873–1880, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers