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     

Toughening and compatibilization of polyphenylene sulfide/nylon 66 blends with SEBS and maleic anhydride grafted SEBS triblock copolymers

In this study, styrene‐b‐ethylene/butylene‐b‐styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS) and maleic anhydride grafted SEBS (SEBS‐g‐MA) were used as compatibilizers for the blends of polyphenylene sulfide/nylon 66 (PPS/PA66). The mechanical properties, including impact and tensile properties and morphology of the blends, were investigated by mechanical properties measurements and scanning electron microscopy. Impact measurements indicated that the impact strength of the blends increases slowly with elastomer (SEBS and SEBS‐g‐MA) content upto 20 wt %; thereafter, it increases sharply with increasing elastomer content. The impact energy of the elastomer‐compatibilized PPS/PA66 blends exceeded that of pure nylon 66, implying that the nylon 66 can be further toughened by the incorporation of brittle PPS minor phase in the presence of SEBS or SEBS‐g‐MA. The compatibilization efficiency of SEBS‐g‐MA for nylon‐rich PPS/PA66 was found to be higher than SEBS due to the in situ forming SEBS interphase between PPS and nylon 66. The correlation between the impact property and morphology of the SEBS‐g‐MA compatibilized PPS/PA66 blends is discussed. The excellent impact strength of the nylon‐rich blends resulted from shield yielding of the matrix. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Preparation and performance characteristics of short‐glass‐fiber/maleated styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene/polypropylene hybrid composites

Eighty/twenty polypropylene (PP)/styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS) and 80/20 PP/maleated styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS‐g‐MA) blends reinforced with 30 wt % short glass fibers (SGFs) were prepared by extrusion and subsequent injection molding. The influence of the maleic anhydride (MA) functional group grafted to SEBS on the properties of SGF/SEBS/PP hybrid composites was studied. Tensile and impact tests showed that the SEBS‐g‐MA copolymer improved the yield strength and impact toughness of the hybrid composites. Extensive plastic deformation occurred at the matrix interface layer next to the fibers of the SGF/SEBS‐g‐MA/PP composites during impact testing. This was attributed to the MA functional group, which enhanced the adhesion between SEBS and SGF. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements indicated that SEBS promoted the crystallization of PP spherulites by acting as active nucleation sites. However, the MA functional group grafted to SEBS retarded the crystallization of PP. Finally, polarized optical microscopy observations confirmed the absence of transcrystallinity at the glass‐fiber surfaces of both SGF/SEBS/PP and SGF/SEBS‐g‐MA/PP hybrid composites. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1303–1311, 2002     

Mechanical and thermal properties of toughened PA6/HDPE/SEBS‐g‐MA/Clay nanocomposite

Preparation and morphology of Polyamide 6 (PA6)/high density polyethylene (HDPE)/Styrene/Ethylene–Butylene/Styrene grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA)/Modified clay nanocomposites were studied. Mixing was performed using melting process in an extruder co‐rotating twin screw. After etching the materials with boiling toluene and THF at room temperature, the morphology of sample checked by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) used for evaluation of the effects of organo‐clay addition in the structure of nanocomposites. XRD traces showed that the characteristic (001) peak of the nanocomposites shifted to the lower degree region. XRD and SEM results showed more uniformly distribution and dispersion of HDPE in the PA6 matrix. Better sample morphology obtained, regarding less distance, and more uniformity between nanoparticles. The mechanical properties like tensile strength, impact strength, hardness and thermal properties of these toughened nanocomposites are discussed in terms of the nanoclay, SEBS‐g‐MA contents and morphology. Adding nanoclay improved hardness of nanocomposites product but reduced toughness and thermal properties. Meanwhile the presence of SEBS‐g‐MA as a compatibilizer improved toughness, thermal properties, hardness property, and the balance properties are achieved. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:29–33, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Analytical interpretations of static and dynamic mechanical properties of thermoplastic elastomer toughened PLA blends

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was melt blended with thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene‐g‐maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA) copolymer using a micro compounder which used melt recirculation approach for efficient dispersion of SEBS‐g‐MA in PLA. The SEBS‐g‐MA volume fraction (Φ_d) was varied between 0.07 and 0.48. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed 10.4 °C decrease in glass transition temperature at Φ_d = 0.48. Differential scanning calorimetry results exhibited shift in cold crystallization temperature to a higher temperature in the presence of SEBS‐g‐MA. Thermogravimetric analysis presented enhanced thermal stability of PLA/SEBS‐g‐MA blends. Tensile strength and modulus decreased while elongation‐at‐break and Izod impact strength increased in the blends. Theoretical models were employed to analyze the tensile properties of the blends in order to evaluate the blend structure. The microstructural attributes were characterized by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy of cryofractured, impact fractured, and tensile fractured surfaces. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45644.     

Effects of addition of functionalized SEBS on rheological,mechanical, and tribological properties of polyamide 6 nanocomposites

The effects of the addition of styrene‐ethylene/butylene‐styrene copolymer (SEBS) with various functionalized groups on the rheological, mechanical, and tribological properties on polyamide 6 nanocomposite filled with layered silicate (PA6/Clay) were investigated. Four types of SEBS: unmodified SEBS (SEBS), maleic anhydride grafted SEBS (SEBS‐g‐MA), amine group grafted SEBS (SEBS‐g‐NH₂), and carboxyl group grafted SEBS (SEBS‐g‐COOH) were added with PA6/Clay nanocomposite to prepare various polymer blends. These polymer blends were extruded by a twin screw extruder and injection molded. Dynamic viscoelastic properties of these blends in the molten state and their tensile, impact, and tribological properties were evaluated. The viscoelastic properties were found to increase with the addition of SEBS and were highly influenced by the types of functionalized groups contained. Influence of the addition of SEBS on the mechanical properties of these systems differed for each mechanical property. Although the tensile properties decreased with SEBS, Izod impact properties improved with the addition of various functionalized SEBS. These mechanical properties and viscoelastic properties correlated closely with the size of dispersed SEBS particles and interparticle distance. The tribological properties also improved with the addition of SEBS, and the influence of the amount added was higher than the type of SEBS used. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical,thermal, and biodegradability properties of PLA/modified starch blends

Three different kinds of modified starch (MS) were prepared as fillers to assess the compatibility between them and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) resin. The blends were prepared by incorporating 15 wt% of the MS into PLA using a twin‐screw extruder. Through morphology analysis, it can be seen that the dispersion state of MS granules was greatly different. Investigations of thermal behavior indicated that the addition of MS decreased thermal properties which found expression in the decrease of melting temperature and vicat softening temperature (VST). But thermal stability of PLA/maleic anhydride grafted starch (MA‐g‐ST) was slightly higher than those of other blends. PLA/MA‐g‐ST blend exhibited the highest notched impact strength, elongation at break, and tensile strength, which means MA‐g‐ST was suitable as a filler improving the toughness of PLA. It was also proved that biodegradability rate of blends increased dramatically and reached up to 1.80, 1.89, 1.44 g day⁻¹ after 60 days, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A study on the effects of SEBS‐g‐MAH on the phase morphology and mechanical properties of polypropylene/polycarbonate/SEBS ternary polymer blends

In this work, five ternary blends based on 70% by weight (wt %) of polypropylene (PP) with 30% wt of polycarbonate (PC)/poly(styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene)(SEBS) dispersed phase consists of 15 wt % PC and 15 wt % reactive (maleic anhydride grafted) and nonreactive SEBS mixtures at various ratios were prepared in a co‐rotating twin screw extruder. scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed that the blends containing only nonreactive SEBS exhibited a fine dispersion of core‐shell particles. With decreasing the SEBS/SEBS‐g‐Maleic Anhydride (MAH) weight ratio, the morphology changed from the core‐shell particles to a mixed of core‐shell, rod‐like and individual particles. This variation in phase morphology affected the thermal and mechanical properties of the blends. DSC results showed that the blends containing only nonreactive SEBS exhibited a minimum in degree of crystallinity due to the homogeneous nucleation of core‐shell particles. Mechanical testing showed that in the SEBS/SEBS‐g‐MAH weight ratio of 50/50, the modulus and impact strength increased compared with the PP matrix while the yield stress had minimum difference with that of PP matrix. These effects could be attributed to the formation of those especial microstructures revealed by the SEM studies. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Influence of addition of styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene copolymer on rheological,mechanical, and tribological properties of polyamide nanocomposites

To develop new tribomaterials for mechanical sliding parts, investigations were carried out on the influence of adding styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene block copolymer (SEBS) on the rheological, mechanical, and tribological properties of polyamide 6 (PA6) nanocomposite, which is a commercial product of layered silicate (clay) filled polyamide 6 (PA6/Clay). Two kinds of block copolymers, unmodified SEBS (SEBS) and maleic anhydride‐grafted SEBS (SEBS‐g‐MA), were added with PA6/Clay nanocomposite. Dynamic viscoelastic properties in the molten state of these nanocomposites and their tensile, impact, and tribological properties of these nanocomposites were evaluated. Dynamic viscoelastic properties were found to increase with the addition of SEBS and were influenced, in particular, by block copolymers containing SEBS‐g‐MA. Influence of the addition of SEBS on mechanical properties of these systems differed for each mechanical property. Although tensile properties decreased with SEBS, Izod impact properties were improved with the addition of SEBS‐g‐MA. Tribological properties were improved with the addition of block copolymer, and the influence of the amount of addition was higher than the type of block copolymer used. These results indicate that new tribomaterials developed have sufficient balance amongst moldability, mechanical, and tribological properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of carbon nanofibers on the fracture,mechanical, and thermal properties of PP/SEBS‐g‐MA blends

Polypropylene/maleated (styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene) (PP/SEBS‐g‐MA) blends reinforced with 0.2–2.5 wt% carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were prepared by injection molding. The structure, thermal, mechanical, and fracture behaviors of PP/SEBS‐g‐MA blends and their nanocomposites were studied. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) results showed that the SEBS‐g‐MA and/or CNF additions do not induce a structural change of PP. Tensile measurements showed that the Young's modulus and tensile yield strength increase with the increasing filler content. Izod impact and essential work of fracture test results demonstrated that CNFs are beneficial to improve the impact strength and specific essential work of fracture of PP/SEBS‐g‐MA blends. Therefore, tough PP‐nanocomposites can be achieved by melt‐blending low fractions of CNFs and appropriate elastomer contents. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of molecular weight and grafted maleic anhydride of functionalized polylactic acid used in reactive compatibilized binary and ternary blends of polylactic acid and thermoplastic cassava starch

Polylactic acid (PLA) was reactively functionalized with maleic anhydride (MA) and 2,5‐bis(tert‐butylperoxy)?2,5‐dimethylhexane (Luperox 101 or L101) using a twin screw extruder (TSE). The effects of functionality (grafted MA level) and/or number average molecular weight of functionalized PLA (PLA‐g‐MA) as the reactive polymer pairs (binary blends) and reactive compatibilizer (ternary blends) were investigated. Due to the dominant side reaction during melt free radical grafting, polymer degradation or chain scission, PLA‐g‐MA having a higher grafted MA had lower molecular weights and intrinsic viscosity as well as broader molecular weight distribution values. The thermal, physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of binary blends produced by using the TSE and injection molding at a ratio of 70 wt % PLA‐g‐MA and 30 wt % thermoplastic cassava starch (TPCS) were analyzed. The reactive blends having grafted MA more than 0.4 wt % had poor tensile strength and elongation at break. Similar trends in morphology and tensile properties were observed in the reactive ternary blends. The use of PLA‐g‐MA strongly impacted the elongation at break but not the modulus or tensile strength. An increase of PLA‐g‐MA's number average molecular weight ( or M_n) improved the tensile properties of the blends. The reactive ternary blend having 0.1 wt % grafted MA on PLA and PLA‐g‐MA basis and PLA‐g‐MA's M_n of 45 kDa offered the highest elongation at break. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42230.     

Synthesis of styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene triblock copolymer‐g‐polylactic acid copolymer and its potential application as a toughener for polylactic acid

The copolymer of styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene triblock copolymer‐g‐polylactic acid (SEBS‐g‐PLA) was successfully prepared using a novel solvothermal synthetic method, in which the graft copolymerization of PLA and SEBS was simply performed in cholorform solution at 100–150°C with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator. The effect of various factors including the reaction temperature and time and the content of BPO and PLA on the graft copolymerization was investigated in detail. It is found that the optimal reaction condition for the grafted copolymers SEBS‐g‐PLA was 120°C for 5 h, while the optimal formulation of SEBS/PLA/BPO was 5 g/2 g/0.5 g in 30 mL chloroform. The properties and microstructures of the obtained SEBS‐g‐PLA copolymers were also studied. The tensile strength and elongation at break were higher than that of pure SEBS and improved with the increase of grafting degree. In addition, SEBS‐g‐PLA copolymer possessed two‐phase structure with vague phase boundaries. The as‐prepared SEBS‐g‐PLA copolymers can be used as the toughening component to improve the impact strength of PLA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Effect of nylon 6 on fracture behavior and morphology of tough blends of poly(2, 6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) and maleated styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer

Ternary blends of poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (PPO), nylon 6, and styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA) were prepared via a melt extrusion, and the fracture behavior, morphology, mechanical properties, and rheology were studied. The compatibilization of the blended components was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. Mechanical properties evaluation demonstrated that incorporation of nylon 6 resulted in an improvement of the tensile strength, but reduction of both the notched Izod impact strength and elongation at break. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation revealed that the network structure of SEBS‐g‐MA domain was gradually destroyed by incorporating the nylon 6. A conversion of SEBS‐g‐MA domain from the network to the irregular dispersed phase took place when the nylon 6 content reached 20 wt %, which resulted in a reduction of the impact strength. Fracture morphology implied that increase of the tensile strength was caused by the plastic deformation of matrix. Rheology investigation indicated that the melt viscosities could be reduced significantly with increasing the content of nylon 6; thus, the processability was improved. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99:3336–3343, 2006     

Property enhancement in polypropylene ternary blend nanocomposites via a novel poly(ethylene oxide)‐grafted polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene/butylene)‐block‐polystyrene toughener–compatibilizer system

Synthesis and characterization of a novel toughener–compatibilizer for polypropylene (PP)–montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were conducted to provide enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blocks were synthetically grafted onto maleic anhydride‐grafted polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene/butylene)‐block‐polystyrene (SEBS‐g‐MA). Special attention was paid to emphasize the effect of PEO‐grafted SEBS (SEBS‐g‐PEO) against SEBS‐g‐MA on morphology, static/dynamic mechanical properties and surface hydrophilicity of the resultant blends and nanocomposites. It was found that the silicate layers of neat MMT are well separated by PEO chains chemically bonded to nonpolar SEBS polymer without needing any organophilic modification of the clay as confirmed by X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analyses. From scanning electron microscopy analyses, elastomeric domains interacting with MMT layers via PEO sites were found to be distributed in the PP matrix with higher number and smaller sizes than the corresponding blend. As a benefit of PEO grafting, SEBS‐g‐PEO‐containing nanocomposite exhibited not only higher toughness/impact strength but also increased creep recovery, as compared to corresponding SEBS‐g‐MA‐containing nanocomposite and neat PP. The damping parameter of the same nanocomposite was also found to be high in a broad range of temperatures as another advantage of the SEBS‐g‐PEO toughener–compatibilizer. The water contact angles of the blends and nanocomposites were found to be lower than that of neat hydrophobic PP which is desirable for finishing processes such as dyeing and coating. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Reactive mixing of PET and PET/PP blends with glycidyl methacrylate–modified styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐olefin) block copolymers

Styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene (SEBS) and styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐propylene) (SEP, SEPSEP) block copolymers with different styrene contents and different numbers of blocks in the copolymer chain were functionalized by melt radical grafting with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and employed as compatibilizers for PET‐based blends. Binary blends of PET with both functionalized (SEBS‐g‐GMA, SEP‐g‐GMA, SEPSEP‐g‐GMA) and neat (SEBS, SEP, SEPSEP) copolymers (75 : 25 w/w) and ternary blends of PET and PP (75 : 25 w/w) with various amounts (2.5–10 phr) of both modified and unmodified copolymers were prepared in an internal mixer, and their properties were evaluated by SEM, DSC, melt viscosimetry, and tensile and impact tests. The roles of the chemical structure, grafting degree, and concentration of the various copolymers on blend compatibilization was investigated. The blends with the grafted copolymers showed a neat improvement of phase dispersion and interfacial adhesion compared to the blends with nonfunctionalized copolymers. The addition of grafted copolymers resulted in a marked increase in melt viscosity, which was accounted for by the occurrence of chemical reactions between the epoxide groups of GMA and the carboxyl/hydroxyl end groups of PET during melt mixing. Blends with SEPSEP‐g‐GMA and SEBS‐g‐GMA, at concentrations of 5–10 phr, showed a higher compatibilizing effect with enhanced elongation at break and impact resistance. The effectiveness of GMA‐functionalized SEBS was then compared to that of maleic anhydride–grafted SEBS. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2201–2211, 2005     

Compatibilizer in waste tire powder and low‐density polyethylene blends and the blends modified asphalt

With the increasing ratio of waste tire powder (WTP) to low‐density polyethylene (LDPE), the hardness and tensile strength of the WTP/LDPE blends decreased while the elongation at break increased. Five kinds of compatibilizers, such as maleic anhydride‐grafted polyethylene (PE‐g‐MA), maleic anhydride‐grafted ethylene‐octene copolymer (POE‐g‐MA), maleic anhydride‐grafted linear LDPE, maleic anhydride‐grafted ethylene vinyl‐acetate copolymer, and maleic anhydride‐grafted styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene, were incorporated to prepare WTP/LDPE blends, respectively. PE‐g‐MA and POE‐g‐MA reinforced the tensile stress and toughness of the blends. The toughness value of POE‐g‐MA incorporating blends was the highest, reached to 2032.3 MJ/m³, while that of the control was only 1402.9 MJ/m³. Therefore, POE‐g‐MA was selected as asphalt modifier. The toughness value reached to the highest level when the content of POE‐g‐MA was about 8%. Besides that the softening point of the modified asphalt would be higher than 60°C, whereas the content of WTP/LDPE blend was more than 5%, and the blends were mixed by stirring under the shearing speed of 3000 rpm for 20 min. Especially, when the blend content was 8.5%, the softening point arrived at 82°C, contributing to asphalt strength and elastic properties in a wide range of temperature. In addition, the swelling property of POE‐g‐MA/WTP/LDPE blend was better than that of the other compalibitizers, which indicated that POE‐g‐MA /WTP/LDPE blend was much compatible with asphalt. Also, the excellent compatibility would result in the good mechanical and processing properties of the modified asphalt. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Mechanical and thermal properties of wood fibers reinforced poly(lactic acid)/thermoplasticized starch composites

Thermoplasticized starch (TPS) filled poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends are usually found to have low mechanical properties due to poor properties of TPS and inadequate adhesion between the TPS and PLA. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reinforcing effect of wood fibers (WF) on the mechanical properties of TPS/PLA blends. In order to improve the compatibility of wood with TPS/PLA blends, maleic anhydride grafted PLA (MA‐g‐PLA) copolymer was synthesized and used. TPS, TPS/PLA blends, and WF reinforced TPS/PLA composites were prepared by twin‐screw extrusion and injection molded. Scanning electron microscope and crystallinity studies indicated thermoplasticity in starch. WF at two different weight proportions, that is, 20% and 40% with respect to TPS content were taken and MA‐g‐PLA at 10% to the total weight was chosen to study the effect on mechanical properties. At 20% WF and 10% MA‐g‐PLA, the tensile strength exhibited 86% improvement and flexural strength exhibited about 106% improvement over TPS/PLA blends. Increasing WF content to 40% further enhanced tensile strength by 128% and flexural strength by 180% with respect to TPS/PLA blends. Thermal behavior of blends and composites was analyzed using dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46118.     

Relationship between structure and properties in high‐performance PA6/SEBS‐g‐MA/(PPO/PS) blends: The role of PPO and PS

This work aimed at studying the role of poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) and polystyrene (PS) in toughening polyamide‐6 (PA6)/styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA) blends. The effects of weight ratio and content of PPO/PS on the morphology and mechanical behaviors of PA6/SEBS‐g‐MA/(PPO/PS) blends were studied by scanning electron microscope and mechanical tests. Driving by the interfacial tension and the spreading coefficient, the “core–shell” particles formed by PPO/PS (core) and SEBS‐g‐MA (shell) played the key role in toughening the PA6 blends. As PS improved the distribution of the “core–shell” particles due to its low viscosity, and PPO guaranteed the entanglement density of the PPO/PS phase, the 3/1 weight ratio of PPO/PS supplied the blends optimal mechanical properties. Within certain range, the increased content of PPO/PS could supply more efficient toughening particles and bring better mechanical properties. Thus, by adjusting the weight ratio and content of PPO and PS, the PA6/SEBS‐g‐MA/(PPO/PS) blends with excellent impact strength, high tensile strength, and good heat deflection temperature were obtained. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45281.     

Effects of compatibilizers and testing speeds on the mechanical properties of organophilic montmorillonite filled polyamide 6/polypropylene nanocomposites

In the present study, the fracture properties of different types of organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) filled polyamide 6/polypropylene nanocomposites was investigated. Two types of compatibilizers, i.e., maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA) and maleic anhydride grafted styrene‐ethylene/butylene‐styrene (SEBS‐g‐MA) were used to compatibilize these systems. The tensile properties were studied through tensile test at two different testing speeds; 50 and 500 mm/min whereas the fracture properties were determined using single‐edge‐notch‐3 point‐bending (SEN‐3PB) specimens at three different testing speeds; 1, 100, and 500 mm/min. The presence of both PP‐g‐MA and SEBS‐g‐MA compatibilizers improved the tensile and fracture properties of nanocomposites due to the compatibilizing effect of both compatibilizers. SEBS‐g‐MA compatibilizer seemed to be more effective in improving the fracture toughness of nanocomposites than PP‐g‐MA especially at high testing speed. This was due to the elastomeric nature of SEBS‐g‐MA, which can provide a better toughening effect than the relatively harder PP‐g‐MA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1493–1504, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A compatibilized composite of recycled polypropylene filled with cellulosic fiber from recycled corrugated paper board: Mechanical properties,morphology, and thermal behavior

This article deals with the feasibility of using recycled corrugated paper board (rPF) as the reinforcing material for recycled plastics. The composites of recycled polypropylene (rPP) and rPF were prepared by extrusion compounding and injection molding, and the rPP/rPF composites compatibilized by maleic anhydride grafted PP (PP‐g‐MA), maleic anhydride grafted ethylene‐1‐octene copolymer (POE‐g‐MA), and maleic anhydride grafted styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene copolymer (SEBS‐g‐MA) were also prepared. The crystallization and melting behavior, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and morphology of these composites were studied. The results indicated that rPF promoted the crystallization, enhanced the strength and toughness of rPP/rPF composites to some extent while decreased thermal stability at the same time. PP‐g‐MA and POE‐g‐MA improved the dispersion and interface adhesion of rPF, and further upgraded the mechanical properties and vicat softening temperatures. Among these compatibilizers, PP‐g‐MA was most favorable to the strength improvement while POE‐g‐MA was most favorable to the toughness improvement. As for SEBS‐g‐MA, it had no obvious modification effect. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011