Studies on polycarbonate-viton GF blends

The effect of addition of different amounts of Viton GF, a fluoroelastomer, on the properties of polycarbonate (PC) was investigated. A significant improvement in impact strength (ca. 100%) was observed on addition of 20 wt.-% of Viton GF. Thermal and dynamic mechanical behaviour of the blends was also investigated. The morphology of these blends was studied by scanning electron microscopy which revealed an uniform distribution of rubber cavities in polycarbonate matrix. The number of rubber cavities increased with increase of rubber content. Erosive wear studies were carried out on compression moulded sheets of PC and PC/Viton GF blends using a sand blasting rig. The effect of impact angle and the amount of abrasive used on the erosive behaviour was investigated. Polycarbonate showed a maximum erosion at an impact angle of 30°. A reduction in specific erosion was observed with increasing concentration of elastomer in the blends.     

Influence of ABS type on morphology and mechanical properties of PC/ABS blends

The morphology and the mechanical properties of polycarbonate (PC) blends with different acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) materials were investigated. PC/ABS blends based on a mass-made ABS with 16% rubber and large (0.5–1μm) rubber particles are compared to blends based on an emulsion-made ABS with 50% rubber and small, monodisperse (0.12 μm) rubber particles over the full range of blend compositions. The blends with the bulk ABS showed excellent impact strength for most compositions, and those containing 50 and 70% PC exhibited ductile to brittle transition temperatures below that of PC. The blends with the emulsion ABS showed excellent toughness in sharp notch Izod impact tests at room temperature and in standard notch Izod impact tests at low temperatures near the T_g of the rubber. By melt blending the various ABS materials with a styrene–acrylonitrile (SAN 25) copolymer, materials with lower rubber concentrations were obtained. These materials were used in blends with PC to make comparisons at constant rubber concentration of 5, 10, and 15%. The results of this investigation show that brittle ABS materials can produce tough PC–ABS blends. It is apparent that small rubber particles toughen PC–ABS blends at lower rubber concentrations and at lower temperatures than is possible with large rubber particles. However, additional work is needed to understand the nature of toughening in these PC–ABS blends with different rubber phase morphologies. It is of particular interest to understand the exceptional ductility of some of the blends at low temperatures. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

PPS/PC共混物力学性能的研究

测量丁聚苯硫醚／聚碳酸酯（PPS／PC）二元共混物的力学性能，并考察了PC含量对PPS／PC／EP（环氧树脂）共混体系力学性能的影响。结果表明，加入适量的PC树脂，可在一定程度上改善PPS树脂的拉伸强度、拉伸断裂强度、弯曲强度和冲击断裂韧性。     

Mechanical,Morphological and Thermal Properties of Polycarbonate/SEBS-G-MA/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

Nanocomposites based on polycarbonate (PC) containing sodium montmorillonite (NaMMT) and maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS-g-MA) were prepared by melt compounding method followed by injection molding. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results revealed the formation of intercalated nanocomposites. Incorporation of SEBS-g-MA into the PC/MMT nanocomposites enhanced ductility and impact strength but slightly reduced tensile strength and stiffness. The glass transition temperature (T _g – detected from DMTA) and onset temperature (T _onset – detected from TGA) of the PC nanocomposites was increased in the presence of SEBS-g-MA. For this PC/NaMMT system, SEBS-g-MA could act as an effective toughening agent.     

Studies on Polycarbonate and Polydimethylsiloxane Rubber Blends

Polycarbonate (PC) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) rubber blend were made by melt blending using a twin-screw extruder. The blends were characterized by mechanical testing, thermal studies, electrical properties and morphological studies. The notched lzod impact strength increased greatly when the rubber content was 20%. The morphology of PC/PDMS blends showed dispersed rubber particle in the PC matrix. The impact strength, which increased with PDMS rubber concentration, has been analyzed on the basis of the interphase adhesion and crazing mechanisms. Tensile and flexural modulus as well as strength decreased with increase in PDMS rubber content. Predictive models have been used to explain the tensile modulus and strength properties. Incorporation of PDMS decreases the glass transition temperature of PC and facilitates its processing. Scanning electron microscopy has been employed to study the phase structure.     

Effect of Rubber Content of ABS on Properties of PC/ABS Blends. I. Rheological,Mechanical, and Thermal Properties

ABSTRACT

The effect of rubber content of poly (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) (ABS) on compatibility and properties of polycarbonate (PC)/ABS blend systems has been investigated. The rheological, mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of PC/ABS blend systems containing ABS of different rubber content were studied. The reduced torque data on Torque Rheocord indicated improved processability of PC by addition of ABS, however, in ABS-rich compositions, higher rubber content reduces the extent of improvement. The tensile strength of PC decreased with addition of ABS to it but PC-rich compositions have a nearly additive response. The deviation form additivity for blends having higher rubber ABS was more pronounced. However, the impact strength of blends having higher rubber ABS were higher than other types and showed a positive deviation from additivity with variation in compositions. The blends containing ABS with lower rubber content showed a single glass-transition temperature (Tg) in differential scanning calorimetry studies (DSC) in the whole composition range indicating miscibility. Although two Tgs, one associated with PC phase and one with ABS phase, were observed for blends containing high rubber ABS, the shift in Tgs with respect to pure component values indicates partial miscibility. The decrease in the extent of shift with increase of ABS in these blends indicates undesirable phase separation due to poor adhesion of higher level of rubber content.     

Mechanical Properties of Nylon 6,6/Polyvinyl Butyral Blends

The mechanical properties of Nylon 6,6 blended with recycled scrap material, polyvinyl butyral (PVB), using maleated styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS-g-MA) as a compatibilizer are discussed. Control samples of Nylon 6,6/PVB blends and Nylon 6,6/SEBS-g-MA blends were also compared. The results show Nylon 6,6/PVB blends give higher tensile strength than Nylon 6,6/SEBS-g-MA blends. As for Nylon 6,6/SEBS-g-MA/PVB blends, impact strength increases with increasing the dosage of SEBS-g-MA. PVB improves flexural and tensile properties but sacrifices impact strength of the blends. Meanwhile, the ductile-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) increases with increasing PVB content. Through morphology observation, hole sizes are smaller with increasing SEBS-g-MA content. In summary, suitable amounts of PVB scrap are vital to balance both rigidity and toughness of blends. This study helps to understand the role of PVB in Nylon 6,6 blend systems, which allows PVB to find a practical application based on economic and environmental concerns.     

Deformation of rubber-toughened polycarbonate: Macroscale analysis of the damage zone

Two commercial core-shell rubbers were used as impact modifiers for polycarbonate (PC). Specimens with a single semicircular edge notch were stretched uniaxially in order to study the prefracture damage evolution of blends under a triaxial tensile stress state. The irreversible deformation of modified PC included a cavitation mechanism in addition to the three shear modes of unmodified PC. At the macroscopic level, the cavitation condition could be described by a mean stress concept. The corresponding critical volume strain for cavitation in PC blends was determined to be independent of rubber content but differed for the two impact modifiers. The critical volume strain for cavitation was used as an index of cavitation resistance for the impact modifiers. The effect of rubber content and temperature on Izod impact strength of the PC blends was also reported. From the relationship between the cavitation resistance and the Izod impact strength, it was proposed that impact modifiers with a higher cavitation resistance impart better toughness to blends with PC. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Mechanical Properties and Morphology of Nitrile Rubber Toughened Polystyrene

Mechanical properties and morphology of blends of polystyrene and finely powdered (uncrosslinked and crosslinked) nitrile rubber were studied with special reference to the effect of blend ratio. Blends were prepared by melt mixing polystyrene and nitrile rubber in an internal mixer at 180°C in the composition range of 0–20 wt% nitrile rubber. The tensile stress/strain properties and impact strength of the polystyrene/nitrile rubber blends were determined using injection molded test specimens. In comparison to the blends with uncrosslinked nitrile rubber, blends with crosslinked nitrile rubber showed higher tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus, impact strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus. The enhanced adhesion between the dispersed nitrile rubber phase and the polystyrene matrix results in an increase in mechanical properties. Scanning electron micrographs of the fractured surfaces confirm the enhancement in mechanical properties.     

Phase morphology characterization and ultimate mechanical properties of 60/40 PC/SAN blend: Influence of the acrylonitrile content of SAN

The tensile stress-strain properties of blends having a 60/40 weight ratio of polycarbonate of bisphenol-A (PC) and styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN) have been investigated for a range of SAN copolymers with different AN levels. It is clearly demonstrated that the phase morphology of these, blends and the acrylonitrile (AN) content of the SAN component are important factors with respect to the ultimate mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation at fracture). Following injection molding, a very fine phase distribution is observed for blends with SAN components containing 15 to 29% AN. By annealing of the blends at 200°C, i.e. above T_g(PC), it has been possible to obtain different degrees of domain sizes. From this range of morphologies, quite similar phase structures can selected differing only in AN-content of the SAN blend components. This allows a systematic investigation of the effect of the AN-content on the tensile stress-strain. Properties of PC/SAN blends. The elongation at fracture exhibits an optimum for blends with SAN containing 24% AN. A coarsening of the phase morphology only results in a decrease of the ductility and not in a shift of the optimum. The maximum tensile stress exhibits a sigmoidal trend as a function of the AN-content. This parameter remains constant for a typical -PC/SAN blend with different morphologies.     

Mechanical Properties of Talc Filled i-PP/CSM Rubber Composites

ABSTRACT

Tensile and impact properties of talc-filled i-PP/CSM rubber (20 phr, 0.13 vol fraction) blends were studied in the talc concentration range 0–0.149 vol fraction (0–50 phr). The tensile modulus increased whereas the tensile breaking strength and the strain-at-break decreased with increase in the talc concentration. The modulus increase and the strain decrease were due to enhanced mechanical restraint imposed by the talc particles on the polymer blend decreasing its deformability. Formation of stress concentration points explained the decrease in the tensile strength. The Izod impact strength showed a significant decrease with increase in the filler content. Surface treatment of the talc particles with a titanate coupling agent LICA 12 increased the wetting of the talc by the polymer blend, further modifying the strength properties. Scanning electron microscopic studies showed enhanced dispersion of the filler particles sequential to the surface treatment, effecting modifications of the composite strength properties.     

Effect of SEPS as a novel compatibilizer on the properties and morphology of PP/PC/POE blends

A novel macromolecular compatibilizer, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEPS) with high content of styrene, was investigated for the purpose of improving the compatibility of PP (polypropylene)/PC (polycarbonate)/POE (ethylene-octene copolymer) blends. SEPS shows a remarkable compatibilizing effect since it has a particular structure with the EP-compatible aliphatic segments, which is well miscible with the nonpolar PP and olefinic elastomer POE domains, and S-chain segments which exhibit strong affinity with PC because of the similar molecular structure. Its compatibilizing effect was examined in terms of the mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties. The compatibilized PP-based blends represent remarkable improvement in impact strength and balanced tensile strength. When 5 wt % SEPS was added to PP/PC/POE blends (20 wt % POE), the impact strength of the blends was enhanced from 24 to 43 kJ/m² without obvious drop in the tensile strength. Their morphologies show a decreasing and much more homogeneous size of dispersed PC and POE particles through addition of SEPS, and the fracture surface morphologies change from irregular mosaic to the mix of mosaic and striation, and finally the regularly distant striation. The special morphology structure that resulted from the effect of the compatibilizer could be a key for enhancement of toughness and balanced rigidity of the blends. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Improved Toughness of Polylactide by Binary Blends with Polycarbonate with Glycidyl and Maleic Anhydride-Based Compatibilizers

This work reports on the development of polylactide (PLA) and polycarbonate (PC) blends with different compatibilizers with enhanced toughness. Since both polymers are immiscible, two types of compatibilizers are tested: petrochemical-based copolymers Xibond 160 and Xibond 920 with maleic anhydride and epoxy groups, respectively, and natural-based compatibilizers with the same functionalities, namely maleinized linseed oil (MLO) and, epoxidized linseed oil (ELO). Mechanical, thermal, and morphological characterization shows better properties for the PLA/PC (80/20 wt%) blends with chemically modified natural oils (ELO and MLO). The addition of 5 phr (parts per hundred resin) of MLO gives the maximum values for impact strength and elongation at break. Moreover, the glass transition temperature (T_g) slightly decreases with the addition of natural compatibilizers, thus showing some plasticization effect. Petroleum-derived compatibilizers give interesting results regarding tensile strength and stiffness without plasticization. PLA/PC blends show higher thermal stability than neat PLA, regardless of the compatibilizer used, since PC is much more thermally stable than PLA. The obtained results indicate that both petroleum-based and natural-derived compatibilizers positively contribute to enhance the properties of the binary PLA/PC blends. Nevertheless, the results with MLO suggest this is an interesting biobased solution to provide increased toughness to PLA/PC blends.     

The effect of recycling number on the mechanical,chemical, thermal,and rheological properties of PBT/PC/ABS ternary blends: With and without glass‐fiber

The recycling possibilities of poly(butylene terephthalate)/polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (PBT/PC/ABS) ternary blend with and without glass‐fiber content were investigated using repeated injection molding process. In this study, PBT/PC/ABS ternary blends were reprocessed at five times and the results were presented after each recycling process. The recycling possibility of PBT/PC/ABS ternary blend was evaluated by measuring the mechanical, chemical, thermal, and rheological properties. Mechanical properties were determined by the tensile strength, yield strength, strain at break, elastic modulus, impact strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus. Chemical and thermal properties were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Rheological properties of the ternary blends were studied by melt flow index measurement. From the results, it was found that mechanical properties of recycled composites were better than virgin PBT/PC/ABS ternary blends. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:2074–2084, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Melt flow properties,mechanical properties,thermal properties and morphology of polycarbonate/highly branched polystyrene blends

A highly branched polystyrene (HBPS) was synthesized via the copolymerization of 4‐(chloromethyl) styrene with styrene using the self‐condensing atom transfer radical polymerization method. The addition of HBPS as a melt modifier for polycarbonate (PC) was attempted. Melt flow properties, mechanical properties, thermal properties and morphology of the blends were studied. The results showed that a significant drop in the blend viscosity occurs immediately on addition of HBPS. Impact strength, tensile strength and glass transition temperature (T_g) of all the blends have not been significantly reduced compared with those of pure PC. The TGA analyses showed that an initial weight loss temperature of all the blends is above 458 °C and slightly low compared with that of pure PC, but all the blends still have excellent thermal stability. Morphological studies using SEM showed that a two‐phase morphology is characteristic of all the blends, with more or less spherical droplets of the minor HBPS phase dispersed in the continuous PC phase. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Toughening modification of PBT/PC blends with PTW and POE

New toughened poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC) blends were obtained by melt blending with ethylene–butylacrylate–glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (PTW) and ethylene‐1‐octylene copolymer (POE) in a twin‐screw extruder. The mechanical properties of PBT/PC blends were investigated. The presence of PTW or POE could improve the mechanical properties except for the tensile strength and flexural properties of the PBT/PC blends. However, a combination use of PTW and POE had a strong synergistic effect, leading to remarkable increases in the impact strength, elongation at break, and Vicat temperature and some reduction of the tensile strength and flexural properties. The relationship between mechanical properties and morphology of the PBT/PC/PTW/POE blends was studied. The morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy and the average diameter of dispersed phase was determined by image analysis, and the critical interparticle distance for PBT/PC was determined. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 54–62, 2006     

Compatibility enhancement of ABS/polycarbonate blends

The effects of blend composition, melt viscosity of poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (ABS), and compatibilizing effect of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) on mechanical properties of ABS/polycarbonate (PC) blends at ABS-rich compositions were studied. As the content of PC was increased, impact strength and Vicat softening temperature (VST) were increased. As the melt viscosity of ABS was increased near to that of PC, finer distribution of dispersed PC phase and consequent enhanced impact strength and VST were observed. The compatibilizing effect of PMMA can be ascer-tained from the enhanced properties of ¼-inch notch impact strength, VST, tensilestrength, and the morphology observed by a scanning electron microscope. The improved adhesion of the ABS/PC interface by PMMA changed the fracture mechanism and reduced the notch sensitivity of blends. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 533–542, 1998     

“核-壳”型硅橡胶对聚碳酸酯回收料的增韧及阻燃改性研究

采用"核-壳"型硅橡胶对聚碳酸酯(PC)回收料进行增韧及阻燃改性,考察了该共混体系的力学性能、阻燃性能、断裂面形貌及热稳定性。研究表明:两相不相容导致"核-壳"型硅橡胶与PC回收料共混没有增韧效果。只有添加环氧树脂或苯乙烯-马来酸酐共聚物作为增容剂,其缺口冲击强度才能获得大幅提高。冲击断裂面形貌观察显示:增容剂能有效提高"核-壳"型硅橡胶的聚甲基丙烯酸酯壳与PC基体间的界面黏结性,降低两相表面张力,使硅橡胶粒子在基体中获得单分散分布,这是取得优异增韧效果的关键因素;并根据实验结果分析了增韧机理。"核-壳"型硅橡胶不仅可以有效地增韧PC回收料,也能显著提高其阻燃性能。在共混物燃烧过程中,硅橡胶能迅速迁移到PC表面,形成高阻燃性的炭保护层;同时在PC基体与硅橡胶之间形成交联结构,从而对PC回收料产生阻燃作用。因此,添加质量分数为7%的"核-壳"型硅橡胶和3%的增容剂,就可使PC回收料的阻燃级别达到UL94V-0级。     

Deformation of rubber-toughened polycarbonate: Microscale and nanoscale analysis of the damage zone

Deformation of polycarbonate (PC) impact-modified with a core–shell rubber (MBS) was examined at the microscale and nanoscale. The stress-whitened zone (SWZ) that formed ahead of a semicircular notch was sectioned and examined in an optical microscope and transmission electron microscope. At the microscale, the texture of the SWZ consisted of fine shear lines that formed when cavitation of the rubber particles relieved triaxiality and enabled the PC matrix in the SWZ to deform in shear. Examination of thin sections from the SWZ in the transmission electron microscope revealed nanoscale deformation of the rubber particles. When the particle concentration was low (2%), only random cavitation of rubber particles was observed. At higher particle concentrations (5 and 10%), cooperative cavitation produced linear arrays of cavitated particles. The matrix ligaments between cavitated particles were strong enough that they did not fracture; higher strains were accommodated by particle cavitation and matrix extension in the regions separating the arrays. The cavitated arrays were also observed in the damage zone that accompanied the fracture surface of specimens impacted at ?20°C. Cooperative cavitation may have implications for the impact strength of blends with higher concentrations of rubber particles. The possibility that particle–particle interactions facilitate cavitation and promote matrix shear deformation is especially relevant to low-temperature impact strength. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

三元乙丙橡胶增韧PET/PC共混物的研究

采用三元乙丙橡胶（EPDM）及甲基丙烯酸环氧丙酯接枝三元乙丙橡（EPDM-g-GMA）作为PET/PC共混物的改性剂,并对共混体系的力学性能、相容性和断裂机理进行研究。力学性能测试结果表明EPDM-g-GMA质量分数为15%～20%时,共混体系实现了脆韧转变,当加到25%时冲击强度最高可达860 J/m,实现超韧;当PET/PC组成比为48/32时,PET/PC相容性最好,共混体系力学性能最佳。EPDM-g-GMA中环氧官能团与PET的端羧基、羟基发生反应使共混体系相容性提高。SEM结果显示共混物的增韧机理是基体的剪切屈服。