Influence of rubber content in ABS in wide range on the mechanical properties and morphology of PC/ABS blends with different composition

A series of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) with different rubber content were prepared by diluting ABS grafting copolymer containing 60% rubber with a styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer. ABS prepared were blended with bisphenol‐A‐polycarbonate (PC) at the ratio of 70/30, 50/50, and 30/70 to prepare PC/ABS blends. Influence of rubber content in ABS on the properties of ABS and PC/ABS blends were investigated. PC/ABS blends with different compositions got good toughness when the rubber in ABS increased to the level that ABS itself got good toughness. The tensile properties and processability of PC/ABS blends decreased with the increase of the total rubber content introduced into the blends. ABS with the rubber content of 30 wt% is most suitable to be used to prepare PC/ABS blends. The rubber content in ABS affected the viscosity of ABS, and subsequently the viscosity ratio of PC to ABS. As a result, the morphology of PC/ABS blends varied. The increase of rubber content in ABS results in finer structure of PC/ABS blends. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:1476–1484, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Mechanical properties and morphology of LCP/ABS blends compatibilized with a styrene–maleic anhydride copolymer

A co‐polyester liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) was melt blended with an acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymer (ABS). LCP fibrils are formed and a distinct skin/core morphology is observed in the injection moulded samples. At higher LCP concentration (50 wt%), phase inversion occurs, where the dispersed LCP phase becomes a co‐continuous phase. While the tensile strength and Young's modulus remain unchanged with increasing LCP content up to 30 wt% LCP, a significant enhancement of the modulus at 50 wt% LCP is observed due to the formation of co‐continuous morphology. The blend modulus is lower than the values predicted by the rule of mixtures, suggesting a poor interface between the LCP droplets and ABS matrix. A copolymer of styrene and maleic anhydride (SMA) was added in the LCP/ABS blends during melt blending. It is observed that SMA has a compatibilizing effect on the blend system and an optimum SMA content exists for mechanical properties enhancement. SMA improves the interfacial adhesion, whereas excess of SMA reduces the LCP fibrillation. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) morphology and poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (SAN) content on fracture behavior of ABS/SAN blends

This study attempted to correlate morphological changes and physical properties for a high rubber content acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and its diluted blends with a poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (SAN) copolymer. The results showed a close relationship between rubber content and fracture toughness for the blends. The change of morphology in ABS/SAN blends explains in part some deviations in fracture behavior observed in ductile–brittle transition temperature shifts. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2606–2611, 2004     

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.     

Compatibility and thermal properties of poly(acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene) copolymer blends with poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile)

The mechanical and heat‐resistant properties of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) binary and ternary blends were investigated. The relationship of compatibility and properties was discussed. The results show that poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and styrene–maleic anhydride (SMA) can improve the thermal properties of conventional ABS. The Izod impact property of ABS/PMMA blends increases significantly with the addition of PMMA, whereas that of ABS/SMA blends decreases significantly with the addition of SMA. Blends mixed with high‐viscosity PMMA are characterized by higher heat‐distortion temperature (HDT), and their heat resistance is similar to that of blends mixed with SMA. For high‐viscosity PMMA, from 10 to 20%, it is clear that blends appear at the brittle–ductile transition, which is related to the compatibility of the two phases. TEM micrographs show low‐content and high‐viscosity PMMA in large, abnormally shaped forms in the matrix. Compatibility between PMMA and ABS is dependent on both the amount and the viscosity of PMMA. When the amount of high‐viscosity PMMA varied from 10 to 20 wt %, the morphology of the ABS binary blends varied from poor to satisfactory compatibility. As the viscosity of PMMA decreases, the critical amount of PMMA needed for the compatibility of the two phases also decreases. SMA, as a compatibilizer, improved the interfacial adhesiveness of ABS and PMMA, which results in PMMA having good dispersion in the matrix. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2652–2660, 2002     

Mechanical properties of blends of polycarbonate with unmodified and maleic anhydride grafted ABS

Blends of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer (PC/ABS) and polycarbonate/maleic anhydride grafted ABS (PC/MABS) were prepared over the whole range of compositions using a single-screw extruder. Tensile, flexural, notched Izod impact properties, and the heat deflection temperature of these blends were determined. Mechanical properties of PC/MABS blends are nearly equal to or higher than, those predicted by the rule of mixtures, whilst those of PC/ABS blends show nearly equal, or negative deviation, from the rule of mixtures. The notched impact strength of PC/MABS blends shows a positive blending effect and proportionate increase from 25wt% PC to 75wt% PC. Scanning electron micrographs were taken of etched surfaces of selective blends. © 1998 SCI.     

Recycling of blends of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and polyamide

The aim of this work is to evaluate routes to upgrade recycled engineering plastics, especially mixed plastics with acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymers (ABS) as the major component. A core‐shell impact modifier was successfully used to improve the impact strength of blends of ABS and ABS/polycarbonate (PC) blends recycled from the automotive industry. However, the presence of other immiscible components like polyamide (PA), even in small amounts, can lead to a deterioration in the overall properties of the blends. A styrene–maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer and other commercial polymer blends were used to promote the compatibilization of ABS and PA. The core‐shell impact modifier was again found to be an efficient additive with regard to the impact strength of the compatibilized ABS/PA blends. The results obtained with fresh material blends were quite promising. However, in blends of recycled ABS and glass‐fiber‐reinforced PA, the impact strength did not exhibit the desired behavior. The presence of poorly bonded glass fibers in the blend matrix was the probable reason for the poor impact strength compared with that of a blend of recycled ABS and mineral‐filled PA. Although functionalized triblock rubbers (SEBS–MA) can substantially enhance the impact strength of PA, they did not improve the impact strength of ABS/PA blends because the miscibility with ABS is poor. The possibilities of using commercial polymer blends to compatibilize otherwise incompatible polymer mixtures were also explored giving promising results. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2535–2543, 2002     

Effects of mixing protocol on the performance of nanocomposites based on polyamide 6/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene blends

Toughening of polyamide 6 (PA6) can be achieved by appropriate addition of an elastomeric matrix phase; however, this leads to a loss of rigidity and mechanical strength. As a result, much research has been directed at obtaining an optimal balance between toughness and rigidity for these thermoplastics. The approach explored here is the formation of nanocomposites from PA6/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) blends prepared by melt mixing with a modified montmorillonite (Cloisite® 30B) and styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer as a compatibilizer. The effect of the mixing sequence of the components on the morphology and properties is a primary focus. The morphology and mechanical properties of the materials were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and tensile and impact testing. Incorporation of the compatibilizer in the PA6/ABS blend increased toughness but decreased rigidity. A significant increase of modulus was observed for the nanocomposite blend compared with the blend or the matrix. This increase was attributed to the exfoliation of organoclay layers in the PA6 matrix phase. It was also observed that the morphology of the ABS dispersed phase was considerably influenced by the mixture sequence. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 52:1909–1919, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Blends of recycled polycarbonate and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene: comparing the effect of reactive compatibilizers on mechanical and morphological properties

Blends of recycled polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) were prepared and some mechanical and morphological properties were investigated. To compatibilize these blends, ABS‐g‐(maleic anhydride) (ABS‐g‐MA) and (ethylene–vinyl acetate)‐g‐(maleic anhydride) (EVA‐g‐MA) with similar degree of grafting of 1.5% were used. To compare the effect of the type of compatibilizer on mechanical properties, blends were prepared using 3, 5 and 10 phr of each compatibilizer. A co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder was used for blending. The results showed that ABS‐g‐MA had no significant effect on the tensile strength of the blends while EVA‐g‐MA decreased the tensile strength, the maximum decrease being about 9.6% when using 10 phr of this compatibilizer. The results of notched Charpy impact strength tests showed that EVA‐g‐MA increased the impact strength of blends more than ABS‐g‐MA. The maximum value of this increase occurred when using 5 phr of each compatibilizer, it being about 54% for ABS‐g‐MA and 165% for EVA‐g‐MA. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed that the particle size of the dispersed phase was decreased in the continuous phase of PC by using the compatibilizers. Moreover, a blend without compatibilizer showed brittle behaviour while the blends containing compatibilizer showed ductile behaviour in fracture. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of addition of acrylic compatibilizer on the morphology and mechanical behavior of amorphous polyamide/SAN blends

Amorphous polyamide (aPA)/acrylonitrile‐styrene copolymer (SAN) blends were prepared using methyl methacrylate‐maleic anhydride copolymer MMA‐MA as compatibilizer. The aPA/SAN blends can be considered as a less complex version of the aPA/ABS (acrylonitrilebutadiene‐styrene) blends, due to the absence of the ABS rubber phase in the SAN material. It is known that acrylic copolymer might be miscible with SAN, whereas the maleic anhydride groups from MMA‐MA can react in situ with the amine end groups of aPA during melt blending. As a result, it is possible the in situ formation of aPA‐g‐MMA‐MA grafted copolymers at the aPA/SAN interface during the melt processing of the blends. In this study, the MA content in the MMA‐MA copolymer and its molecular weight was varied independently and their effects on the blend morphology and stress–strain behavior were evaluated. The morphology of the blends aPA/SAN showed a minimum in the SAN particle size at low amounts of MA in the compatibilizer, however, as the MA content in the MMA‐MA copolymer was increased larger SAN particle sizes were observed in the systems. In addition, higher MA content in the compatibilizer lead to less ductile aPA/SAN blends under tensile testing. The results shown the viscosity ratio also plays a very important role in the morphology formation and consequently on the properties of the aPA/SAN blends studied. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Effects of ABS‐g‐MAH on mechanical properties and compatibility of ABS/PC alloy

The effects of a compatibilizer, namely, an acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymer (ABS) grafted with maleic anhydrade (MAH) (ABS‐g‐MAH), on the mechanical properties and morphology of an ABS/polycarbonate (PC) alloy were studied The results showed that a small quantity of ABS‐g‐MAH has a very good influence on the notched Izod impact strength of the ABS/PC alloy without compromising other properties such as the tensile strength, flexural strength, and Vicat softening temperature (VST). The impact strength of the ABS/PC alloy, to a great extent, depends on the loading of ABS‐g‐MAH and the degree of grafting (DG) of MAH in the ABS‐g‐MAH. DSC analysis and SEM observation confirmed that ABS‐g‐MAH could significantly improve the compatibility of the ABS/PC alloy. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 831–836, 2001     

Morphology and mechanical properties of polyamide 12 blends with styrene/ethylene–butylene/styrene rubbers with and without maleation

Blends of polyamide 12 (PA12) with styrene/ethylene–butylene/styrene (SEBS) and maleic anhydride grafted SEBS (SEBS‐g‐MA) were prepared by twin‐screw extrusion and injection molding. The morphology, mechanical properties, and dynamic mechanical properties of the blends were studied. The morphology of the blends was evaluated from the etched surfaces of cryogenically fractured specimens with scanning electron microscopy. The morphological parameters showed that the PA12/SEBS‐g‐MA blends (PM series) exhibited a finer and more uniform rubber dispersion than the PA12/SEBS blends (PS series) because of the interfacial chemical reactions. SEBS functionalization via maleic anhydride grafting strongly affected the morphological parameters, such as the domain size, interfacial area per unit of volume, and critical interparticle distance, but the distribution of the rubber domains in the blends was less affected. Tensile and impact studies showed that the PS blends had worse mechanical properties than the PM blends. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the PM blends were considerably greater than those of the PS blends. The fracture toughness and energy values determined for notched Charpy specimens in high‐speed impact tests were markedly higher for the PM blends than for the PS blends. A similar observation was obtained from instrumented falling weight impact studies. Dynamic mechanical analysis confirmed the incompatibility of the blend components because the glass‐transition temperatures of PA12 and the rubber phase (SEBS and SEBS‐g‐MA) were not affected. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl polym Sci 95: 1376–1387, 2005     

Dynamic‐mechanical analysis of MWNTs‐filled PC/ABS blends

In a systematic manner, the roles of MWNTs as filler and styrene acrylonitrile copolymer‐graft‐maleic anhydride (SAN‐MA) as compatibilizer, individually and together, on dynamic‐mechanical behavior of polycarbonate (PC)‐rich/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene terpolymer (ABS) blend were studied. The investigations were performed using small‐scale mixing in a one‐step procedure with a fixed MWNTs content of 0.75 wt% and a blend composition of PC/ABS = 70/30 w/w. PC/SAN blends and nanocomposites as simpler model system for PC/ABS were also studied to reveal the role of the rubbery polybutadiene (PB) fraction. It is found that the tendency of MWNTs to localize within the PC component in compatibilized PC/ABS was lower than in compatibilized PC/SAN blends. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed the dual role of SAN‐MA as blend compatibilizer and also promoter of MWNTs migration towards PC, where SAN‐MA to MWNTs weight ratio varied between 1 and 4. At the compatibilizer/MWNTs weight ratio of 1, MWNTs localized in PC component of the blends whereas increasing the compatibilizer/MWNTs ratio to 4 led to migration of MWNTs toward SAN or ABS component. In DMA studies, loss modulus normalization of the nanocomposites revealed the coexistence of mobilized and immobilized regions within the nanocomposite structure, as a result of MWNTs and compatibilizer loading. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2696–2706, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Impact behavior and fracture morphology of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene resins toughened by linear random styrene–isoprene–butadiene rubber

A novel toughening modifier, styrene–isoprene–butadiene rubber (SIBR), was used to improve the impact resistance and toughness of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) resin via bulk polymerization. For comparison, two kinds of ABS samples were prepared: ABS‐1 was toughened by a conventional modifier (a low‐cis polybutadiene rubber/styrene–butadiene block copolymer), and ABS‐2 was toughened by SIBR. The mechanical properties, microstructures of the as‐prepared materials, and fracture surface morphology of the specimens after impact were studied by instrumented notched Izod impact tests and tensile tests, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The mechanical test results show that ABS‐2 had a much higher impact strength and elongation at break than ABS‐1. The microscopic results suggested that fracture resistance of ABS‐1 only depended on voids, shear yielding, and few crazing, which resulted in less ductile fracture behavior. Compared with ABS‐1, ABS toughened by linear random SIBR (ABS‐2) displayed the synergistic toughening effect of crazing and shear yielding, which could absorb and dissipate massive energy, and presented high ductile fracture behavior. These results were also confirmed by instrumented impact tests. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Morphology of nylon 6/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene blends compatibilized by a methyl methacrylate/maleic anhydride copolymer

The morphologies of nylon 6/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene blends compatibilized with a methyl methacrylate/maleic anhydride copolymer, with 3–20 wt % maleic anhydride, were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Some staining techniques were employed for identifying the various phases. The binary blends were immiscible and exhibited poor mechanical properties that stemmed from the unfavorable interactions among their molecular segments. This produced an unstable and coarse phase morphology and weak interfaces among the phases in the solid state. The presence of the copolymer in the blends clearly led to a more efficient dispersion of the acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene phase and consequently optimized Izod impact properties. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 3512–3518, 2003     

Polymer blends with modified coupling agent. II. Effects of LICA 44 grafted styrene–maleic anhydride copolymer on properties of flame retardant acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene blends

Flame retardant acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (FR‐ABS) blends were prepared by blending tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBA) and antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃) into the ABS resin. LICA 44 grafted styrene–maleic anhydride (SMA‐g‐L44) copolymers were used as high molecular weight (MW) coupling agents to modify the properties of the FR‐ABS blends, and the copolymers with different LICA 44 grafting ratios were produced via the in vivo and the in situ reactions, respectively. The LICA 44 percentage and the MW of the SMA‐g‐L44 copolymers are important factors influencing the effects of the high MW coupling agent. The impact strength and the tensile yield stress of SMA‐g‐L44 modified FR‐ABS blends increased obviously. The elongation at break and the limiting oxygen index of which also showed an increasing trend after the modification. The coupling effect of SMA‐g‐L44 became weaker at a higher grafting ratio. SEM observation showed that the interfacial boundary in the FR‐ABS became fuzzy after using the SMA‐g‐L44 copolymers. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 865–874, 1999     

Interfacial shear strength and wettability between glass fiber and PC/SAN/SMA blends

The two important factors affecting the mechanical properties of fiber‐reinforced composite materials are the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and wettability. The IFSS and wettability of glass fiber in a polycarbonate (PC)/styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile (SAN) blend system were measured by the single fiber fragmentation test (SFFT) and the Wilhelmy method, respectively. Styrene‐co‐maleic‐anhydride (SMA) was used as a compatibilizer and the glass fiber was surface‐treated with organosilane coupling agents to induce chemical bonding between maleic anhydride and silanol. The IFSS was found to increase with the content of SMA copolymer and then level off: There was an optimum level of the SMA content for a given silanol content. The IFSS and wettability increased with increasing SAN content, and the wettability showed quite similar behavior to the case of the IFSS with respect to SAN content. The effect of the miscibility of SAN/SMA blends on the IFSS was also investigated. The IFSS was greatly affected by the miscibility of SAN/SMA blends, which is mainly dependent on the copolymer compositions of SAN and SMA. Higher IFSS was obtained when the SAN/SMA blend was miscible.     

Influence of the tert‐dodecyl mercaptan content in poly(acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene) on properties of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride/poly(acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene) blends

A series of poly(acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene) (ABS) grafting modifiers were synthesized by emulsion grafting poly(acrylonitrile‐styrene) (SAN) copolymer onto polybutadiene (PB) latex rubber particles. The chain transfer reagent tert‐dodecyl mercaptan (TDDM) was used to regulate the grafting degree of ABS and the molecular weight of SAN copolymers. By blending these ABS modifiers with Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) resin, a series of CPVC/ABS blends were obtained. The morphology, compatibility, and the mechanical properties of CPVC/ABS blends were investigated. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies showed that the ABS domain all uniformly dispersed in CPVC matrix. Dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) results showed that the compatibility between CPVC and SAN became enhanced with the TDDM content. From the mechanical properties study of the CPVC/ABS blends, it was revealed that the impact strength first increases and then decreases with the TDDM content, which means that the compatibility between CPVC and the SAN was not the only requirement for maximizing toughness. The decreasing of tensile strength and the elongations might attribute to the lower entanglement between chains of CPVC and SAN. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of compatibilizer in acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene toughened nylon 6 blends: Ductile–brittle transition temperature

The ductile–brittle transition temperatures were determined for compatibilized nylon 6/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (PA6/ABS) copolymer blends. The compatibilizers used for those blends were methyl methacrylate‐co‐maleic anhydride (MMA‐MAH) and MMA‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate (MMA‐GMA). The ductile–brittle transition temperatures were found to be lower for blends compatibilized through maleate modified acrylic polymers. At room temperature, the PA6/ABS binary blend was essentially brittle whereas the ternary blends with MMA‐MAH compatibilizer were supertough and showed a ductile–brittle transition temperature at ?10°C. The blends compatibilized with maleated copolymer exhibited impact strengths of up to 800 J/m. However, the blends compatibilized with MMA‐GMA showed poor toughness at room temperature and failed in a brittle manner at subambient temperatures. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2643–2647, 2003     

Fractionated crystallization in PA6/ABS blends: Influence of a reactive compatibilizer and multiwall carbon nanotubes

The 20/80 blends of polyamide 6 (PA6) and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymer (ABS) in the presence of styrene–maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were prepared using melt-mixing technique. Crystallization behavior of the PA6 phase in the blends was studied using DSC, WAXD and SAXS techniques. Blends' morphology was characterized by SEM. We observed fractionated crystallization of PA6 phase in 20/80 PA6/ABS blends. It was also observed that the phenomenon of fractionated crystallization was influenced by the presence of both SMA and MWNT. Blends' morphology revealed the presence of wide domain size distribution of PA6 droplets in the amorphous ABS matrix. On incorporation of either SMA or SMA modified MWNT, the average domain size of PA6 droplets was found to be finer up to 1 wt% SMA modified MWNT. Encapsulation of SMA copolymer layer on the MWNT surface was also evident from SEM micrographs. SAXS analysis revealed the formation of multiple lamellae stacking of PA6 phase in the presence or absence of SMA and MWNT in 20/80 PA6/ABS blends. This was attributed to the formation of less perfect crystallites formed during the cooling of melt at higher degree of supercooling.