A novel highly efficient β‐nucleating agent for polypropylene using nano‐CaCO3 as a support

In order to increase the isotactic content of β‐nucleated polypropylene (β‐iPP) and decrease the cost of its production, the investigation and development of novel highly efficient β‐nucleators are important issues. Nano‐CaCO₃ was used as a support to prepare a supported β‐nucleator, nano‐CaCO₃‐supported calcium pimelate. Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis shows that an in situ chemical reaction takes place between nano‐CaCO₃ and pimelic acid. Differential scanning calorimetry results indicate that the crystallization and melting temperatures of β‐phase in supported β‐nucleator‐nucleated iPP are higher than those of calcium pimelate‐nucleated iPP. The β‐nucleating ability of the supported β‐nucleator is little influenced by the cooling rate and crystallization temperature over a wide range. The decreased content of pimelic acid in the supported β‐nucleator slightly decreases the crystallization temperature of iPP but it has no influence on the content of β‐phase in nucleated iPP. A novel supported β‐nucleator has been successfully synthesized via pimelic acid supported on the surface of CaCO₃. The crystallization temperature of iPP and melting temperature of β‐phase in iPP nucleated using the supported β‐nucleator are higher than those of iPP nucleated using calcium pimelate. The concept of a supported nucleator will provide a new way to increase the efficiency of polymer additives and to decrease the amounts of them that need to be used by using nanoparticles as supports. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Morphology,crystallization and enzymatic hydrolysis of poly(L‐lactide) nucleated using layered metal phosphonates

Poly(L ‐lactide) (PLLA) was prepared via melt blending and nucleated using three layered metal phosphonates, i.e. zinc phenylphosphonate (PPZn), calcium phenylphosphonate (PPCa) and barium phenylphosphonate (PPBa). The morphology, crystallization and enzymatic hydrolysis of PLLA nucleated using PPZn, PPCa and PPBa were investigated. The results of both wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy observations show that the layers of PPZn, PPCa or PPBa are barely exfoliated or intercalated by PLLA chains in the melt‐blending process. PPZn, PPCa and PPBa serve as effective nucleating agents, accelerating both non‐isothermal and isothermal crystallization and enzymatic hydrolysis of PLLA. An interesting aspect is that the nucleating ability of PLLA incorporating PPZn, PPCa and PPBa decreases in the order PPZn > PPCa > PPBa, whereas the enzymatic hydrolysis of PLLA incorporating PPZn, PPCa and PPBa decreases in the reverse order, which is due to the different dispersion and interfacial interactions of PPZn, PPCa and PPBa throughout the PLLA matrix. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Isothermal crystallization kinetics and melting behaviors of nanocomposites of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) filled with nano‐CaCO3

The isothermal crystallization and subsequent melting behavior of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) composites filled with nano‐CaCO₃ were investigated at designated temperatures with differential scanning calorimetry. The Avrami equation was used to fit the isothermal crystallization. The Avrami exponents were determined to be 2–3 for the neat PTT and PTT/CaCO₃ composites. The particles of nano‐CaCO₃, acting as nucleating agents in the composites, accelerated the crystallization rate, with the half‐time of crystallization decreasing or the growth rate constant (involving both nucleation and growth rate parameters) increasing. The crystallization activation energy calculated from the Arrhenius formula was reduced as the nano‐CaCO₃ content increased from 0 to 2%, and this suggested that nano‐CaCO₃ made the molecular chains of PTT easier to crystallize during the isothermal crystallization process. Subsequent melting scans of the isothermally crystallized composites exhibited triple or double melting endotherms: the greater the content was of nano‐CaCO₃, the lower the temperature was of the melting peak. The degree of crystallization deduced from the melt enthalpy of composites with the proper concentration of nano‐CaCO₃ was higher than that of pure PTT, but it was lower when the nano‐CaCO₃ concentration was more than 2%. The transmission electron microscopy pictures suggested that the dispersion state of nano‐CaCO₃ particles in the polymer matrix was even when its concentration was no more than 2%, whereas some agglomeration occurred when its concentration was 4%. Polarized microscopy pictures showed that much smaller or less perfect crystals formed in the composites because of the interaction between the molecular chains and nano‐CaCO₃ particles. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Effect of surface modifiers and surface modification methods on properties of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene/poly(methyl methacrylate)/nano‐calcium carbonate composites

Nano‐calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO₃) was used in this article to fill acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which is often used in rapid heat cycle molding process (RHCM). To achieve better adhesion between nano‐CaCO₃ and ABS/PMMA, nano‐CaCO₃ particles were modified by using titanate coupling agent, aluminum–titanium compound coupling agent, and stearic acid. Dry and solution methods were both utilized in the surface modification process. ABS/PMMA/nano‐CaCO₃ composites were prepared in a corotating twin screw extruder. Influence of surface modifiers and surface modification methods on mechanical and flow properties of composites was analyzed. The results showed that collaborative use of aluminum–titanium compound coupling agent and stearic acid for nano‐CaCO₃ surface modification is optimal in ABS/PMMA/nano‐CaCO₃ composites. Coupling agent can increase the melt flow index (MFI) and tensile yield strength of ABS/PMMA/nano‐CaCO₃ composites. The Izod impact strength of composites increases with the addition of titanate coupling agent up to 1 wt %, thereafter the Izod impact strength shows a decrease. The interfacial adhesion between nano‐CaCO₃ and ABS/PMMA is stronger by using solution method. But the dispersion uniformity of nano‐CaCO₃ modified by solution method is worse. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Melt flow behavior in capillary extrusion of nanosized calcium carbonate‐filled poly(L‐lactic acid) biocomposites

Nanosized calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO₃)‐filled poly‐L ‐lactide (PLLA) biocomposites were compounded by using a twin‐screw extruder. The melt flow behavior of the composites, including their entry pressure drop, melt shear flow curves, and melt shear viscosity were measured through a capillary rheometer operated at a temperature range of 170–200°C and shear rates of 50–10³ s^?1. The entry pressure drop showed a nonlinear increase with increasing shear stress and reached a minimum for the filler weight fraction of 2% owing to the “bearing effect” of the nanometer particles in the polymer matrix melt. The melt shear flow roughly followed the power law, while the effect of temperature on the melt shear viscosity was estimated by using the Arrhenius equation. Hence, adding a small amount of nano‐CaCO₃ into the PLLA could improve the melt flow behavior of the composite. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 52:1839–1844, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Silane coupling agent modification on interlaminar shear strength of carbon fiber/epoxy/nano‐CaCo3 composites

Four different types of composites were prepared based on unmodified and modified epoxy matrices: (A) unmodified epoxy/carbon fiber composites, (B) modified epoxy/carbon fiber composites by silane coupling agent/nano‐CaCO₃ master batch, (C) modified epoxy/carbon fiber composites by nano‐CaCO₃ particles directly, and (D) modified epoxy/carbon fiber composites by nano‐CaCO₃ particles and silane coupling agent together. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the carbon fiber‐reinforced composites was investigated. The results show that the silane coupling agent/nano‐CaCO₃ master batch can increase the ILSS to the highest degree. Nevertheless, Sample D, i.e., modified by nano‐CaCO₃ particles and silane coupling agent together, even presents a decrease of the ILSS. The integration effect of silane coupling agent/nano‐CaCO₃ master batch was concluded. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Selective particle distribution and mechanical properties of nano‐CaCO3/ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer/polypropylene composites with high content of nano‐CaCO3

T ernary composite of nano‐CaCO₃/ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM)/polypropylene (PP) with high content of nano‐CaCO₃ was prepared by two step compounding route, in which EPDM and nano‐CaCO₃ were mixed first, and then melt compounding with PP matrix. The influence of mixing time during the second compounding on distribution of nano‐CaCO₃ particles and the impact strength of the ternary composite have been investigated. It was found that the Izod impact strength of composite decreased with increasing mixing time. The observation of transmission electron microscopy obviously showed that nano‐CaCO₃ particles transported from EPDM to PP matrix firstly and then from PP to the vicinity of EPDM dispersed phase with the increase of mixing time. This phenomenon can be well explained by the minimization of the dissipative energy and the Young's equation. The scanning electron microscope images show that lots of nano fibrils exist at the interface between nano‐CaCO₃ agglomerates and matrix, which can dissipate lots of energy. The toughening mechanism has been interpreted in terms of three‐stage‐mechanism: stress concentration, void and shear band formation, and induced shear yielding. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of polypropylene copolymer by in situ copolymerization with a nucleating agent and/or nano‐calcium carbonate

The crystallization behavior of polypropylene (PP) copolymer obtained by in situ reactor copolymerization with or without a nucleating agent and/or nano‐CaCO₃ particles was investigated both by thermal analysis and by polarized light microscopy. The Avrami model is successfully used to describe the crystallization kinetics of the studied copolymer. The results of the investigation show that a dramatic decrease of the half‐time of crystallization t_1/2, as well as a significant increase of the overall crystallization rate, are observed in the presence of the nucleating agent. These effects are further promoted in the presence of the nano‐CaCO₃ particles. The incorporation of the nucleating agent and nano‐CaCO₃ particles into PP copolymer remarkably improved the mechanical properties and heat distortion temperature. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 431–438, 2004     

Study on mechanical and flow properties of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene/poly(methyl methacrylate)/nano‐calcium carbonate composites

Acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS)/poly(methyl meth‐acrylate) (PMMA)/nano‐calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO₃) composites were prepared in a corotating twin screw extruder. Four kinds of nano‐CaCO₃ particles with different diameters and surface treatment were used in this study. The properties of the composites were analyzed by tensile tests, Izod impact tests, melt flow index (MFI) tests, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). This article is focused on the effect of nano‐CaCO₃ particles' size and surface treatment on various properties of ABS/PMMA/nano‐CaCO₃ composites. The results show that the MFI of all the composites reaches a maximum value when the content of nano‐CaCO₃ is 4 wt%. In comparison with untreated nano‐CaCO₃ composites, the MFI of stearic acid treated nano‐CaCO₃ composites is higher and more sensitive to temperature. The tensile yield strength decreases slightly with the increase of nano‐CaCO₃ content. However, the size and surface treatment of nano‐CaCO₃ particles have little influence on the tensile yield strength of composites. In contrast, all of nano‐CaCO₃ particles decrease Izod impact strength significantly. Stearic acid treated nano‐CaCO₃ composites have superior Izod impact strength to untreated nano‐CaCO₃ composites with the same nano‐CaCO₃ content. Furthermore, the Izod impact strength of 100 nm nano‐CaCO₃ composites is higher than that of 25 nm nano‐CaCO₃ composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1593–1602, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Nonisothermal crystallization behavior and crystals morphology of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/nano‐calcium carbonate composites

Nonisothermal crystallization behavior and crystal morphology of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) composites filled with modified nano‐calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) had been investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy. The modified Avrami equation and Ozawa theory were used to investigate the nonisothermal crystallization, respectively. The particles of nano‐CaCO₃, acting as a nucleation agent in composites, accelerated the crystallization rate by decreasing the half‐time of crystallization or increasing the parameters of Z_c and K(T). Moreover, the nano‐composite with 2 wt% nano‐CaCO₃ exhibited the highest crystallization rate. The Avrami and the Ozawa exponents, n and m of the nano‐composites, were higher than those of neat PTT, suggesting more complicated interaction between molecular chains and the nanoparticles that cause the changes of the nucleation mode and the crystal growth dimension. The effective activation energy calculated from the Friedman formula was reduced as nano‐CaCO₃ content increased, suggesting that the nano‐CaCO₃ made the molecular chains of PTT easier to crystallize during the nonisothermal crystallization process. The optical micrographs showed that much smaller or less perfect crystals were formed in composites because of the presence of the nano‐CaCO₃ particles. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Microcellular foaming of low‐density polyethylene using nano‐CaCo3 as a nucleating agent

In this study, microcellular foaming of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) using nano‐calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO₃) were carried out. Nanocomposite samples were prepared in different content in range of 0.5–7 phr nano‐CaCO₃ using a twin screw extruder. X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize of LDPE/nano‐CaCO3 nanocomposites. The foaming was carried out by a batch process in compression molding with azodicarbonamide (ADCA) as a chemical blowing agent. The cell structure of the foams was examined with SEM, density and gel content of different samples were measured to compare difference between nanocomposite microcellular foam and microcellular foam without nanomaterials. The results showed that the samples containing 5 phr nano‐CaCO₃ showed microcellular foam with the lowest mean cell diameter 27 μm and largest cell density 8 × 10⁸ cells/cm³ in compared other samples. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and characterization of injection‐homo‐polypropylene filled with nano‐CaCO3

Nano‐CaCO₃/homo‐PP composites were prepared by melt‐blending using twin‐screw extruder. The results show that not only the impact property but also the bending modulus of the system have been evidently increased by adding nano‐CaCO₃. The nano‐CaCO₃ particles have been dispersed in the matrix in the nanometer scale which was investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The toughening mechanism of nano‐CaCO₃, investigated by means of dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), lies on that the nano‐CaCO₃ particles take an action of initiating and terminating crazing (silver streak), which can absorb more impact energy than the neat PP. At the same time, the nano‐CaCO₃ particles, as the nuclear, decrease the crystal size of PP, the results of which were investigated by means of polarized optical microscope (POM). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Effects of poly(1,2‐propylene glycol adipate) and nano‐CaCO3 on DOP migration and mechanical properties of flexible PVC

Nano‐CaCO₃ was used as nano‐scale filler and poly(1,2‐propylene glycol adipate) (PPA) was used as polymeric plasticizer in flexible poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) sheets for the partial replacement of di(2‐ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DOP) in this paper. The effect of PPA and nano‐CaCO₃ on restraining DOP migration was evaluated via extraction tests. The results showed that the introduction of nano‐CaCO₃ can decrease the extraction rate of DOP in the PVC matrix. The tensile strength and elongation at break of CaCO₃‐1/PPA‐20/DOP‐30/PVC were similar to those of DOP‐50/PVC, and CaCO₃‐1/PPA‐20/DOP‐30/PVC exhibited the superior suppression of DOP migration compared with DOP‐50/PVC. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) indicated that the addition of nano‐CaCO₃ effectively improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. Therefore, the combination of PPA and nano‐CaCO₃ is an effective approach to suppress the migration of DOP. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Coincorporation of nano‐silica and nano‐calcium carbonate in polypropylene

In this study, various polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending method. The effects of different spherical nanofillers, such as 50 nm CaCO₃ and 20 nm SiO₂, on the linear viscoelastic property, crystallization behavior, morphology and mechanical property of the resulting PP nanocomposites were examined. Rheological study indicated that coincorporation of nano‐SiO₂ and nano‐CaCO₃ favored the uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in the PP matrix. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM) studies revealed that the coincorporation of SiO₂ and CaCO₃ nanoparticles could effectively improve PP crystallizability, which gave rise to a lower supercooling temperature (ΔT), a shorter crystallization half‐life (t_1/2) and a smaller spherulite size in comparison with those nanocomposites incorporating only one type of CaCO₃ or SiO₂ nanoparticles. The mechanical analysis results also showed that addition of two types of nanoparticles into PP matrix gave rise to enhanced performance than the nanocomposites containing CaCO₃ or SiO₂ individually. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Effect of particle size and surface modification on mechanical properties of poly(para‐dioxanone)/inorganic particles

Poly(para‐dioxanone) (PPDO)‐based composites have been prepared by blending PPDO with three different types of CaCO₃ particles, CC1 (nano‐CaCO₃), CC2 (CaCO₃ whisker), and CC3 (silane‐coated CaCO₃ whisker). The effects of particles size, interface adhesion, and crystallinity of composites on mechanical properties were discovered through analysis of the morphology of fracture surfaces, thermal characteristics, and crystalline structure. DSC revealed that the CaCO₃ particles acted as a nucleating agent and promoted crystallinity of PPDO. The effect of CaCO₃ particles on crystallization of PPDO was clearly revealed by using the nucleating efficiency. Smaller size particles exhibit greater nucleating efficiency. Adhesion between PPDO and the CaCO₃ particles plays major roles on the mechanical properties of composites. The tensile strength of PPDO was improved over 54%. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Toughening and reinforcement of rigid PVC with silicone rubber/nano‐CACO3 shell‐core structured fillers

To improve the mechanical properties and structure of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/nano‐CaCO₃ nano composite, a core (nano‐CaCO₃)/shell (SR) structured filler (40–60 nm) was successfully prepared by refluxing methyl vinyl silicone rubber (SR) and nano‐CaCO₃ particles (coupling agent KH550, KH560, or NDZ‐101 as interfacial modifier) in toluene with vigorous stirring, according to an encapsulation model. It is effective in rigid PVC composite's toughness and reinforcement. The interfacial modifier's structure and interaction of nanocomposites of PVC/SR/nano‐CaCO₃ were studied. The results indicate that KH560 has the optimal interfacial modificatory effect. The environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) study testified that PVC/SR/nano‐CaCO₃ nanocomposites had a typical rubber–plastics‐toughening mechanism. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 2560–2567, 2006     

Plasticization of nano‐CaCO3 in polystyrene/nano‐CaCO3 composites

The shear rheological properties of polystyrene (PS)/nano‐CaCO₃ composites were studied to determine the plasticization of nano‐CaCO₃ to PS. The composites were prepared by melt extrusion. A poly(styrene–butadiene–styrene) triblock copolymer (SBS), a poly(styrene–isoprene–styrene) triblock copolymer (SIS), SBS‐grafted maleic anhydride (SBS–MAH), and SIS‐grafted maleic anhydride were used as modifiers or compatibilizers. Because of the weak interaction between CaCO₃ and the PS matrix, the composites with 1 and 3 phr CaCO₃ loadings exhibited apparently higher melt shear rates under the same shear stress with respect to the matrix polymer. The storage moduli for the composites increased with low CaCO₃ concentrations. The results showed that CaCO₃ had some effects on the compatibility of PS/SBS (or SBS–MAH)/CaCO₃ composites, in which SBS could effectively retard the movement of PS chain segments. The improvement of compatibility, due to the chemical interaction between CaCO₃ and the grafted maleic anhydride, had obvious effects on the rheological behavior of the composites, the melt shear rate of the composites decreased greatly, and the results showed that nano‐CaCO₃ could plasticize the PS matrix to some extent. Rheological methods provided an indirect but useful characterization of the composite structure. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

Morphology and properties of PP/EPDM binary blends and PP/EPDM/nano‐CaCO3 ternary blends

In this article, the morphology, crystallization, and rheological behaviors of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM) binary blend and PP/EPDM/calcium carbonate nanoparticles (nano‐CaCO₃) ternary blend were investigated. Two processing methods, i.e., direct extrusion and two‐step extrusion, were employed to prepare the PP/EPDM/CaCO₃ blend. The influence of EPDM and nano‐CaCO₃ respectively on phase morphology and properties of PP/EPDM blend and PP/EPDM/CaCO₃ blend were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic rheometer. The crystallinity and crystallization temperature of PP/EPDM blend were improved in comparison to pure PP due to addition of EPDM, but kept invariable with the increased EPDM loading. As the EPDM content was increased, the mobility of PP molecular chains was weakened. Compared with direct extruded blend, less and finer nano‐CaCO₃ was dispersed in matrix of two‐step extruded blend. Accordingly, the increased nano‐CaCO₃ in matrix gave rise to a weaker increment in crystallinity and crystallization temperature of two‐step extruded blend, and a later platform of tanδ curve. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Influence of different β‐nucleating agent on crystallization behavior,morphology, and melting characteristic of multiwalled carbon nanotube‐filled isotactic polypropylene nanocomposites

To obtain isotactic polypropylene (iPP) nanocomposites with high β‐crystal content, TMB5, calcium pimelate and calcium pimelate supported on the surface of nano‐CaCO₃ were used as β‐nucleating agent and MWCNT filled β‐nucleated iPP nanocomposites were prepared. The effect of different β‐nucleating agent and MWCNT on the crystallization behavior and morphology, melting characteristic and β‐crystal content of β‐nucleated iPP nanocomposites were investigated by DSC, XRD and POM. The results indicated that addition of MWCNT increased the crystallization temperature of iPP and MWCNT filled iPP nanocomposites mainly formed α‐crystal. The β‐nucleating agent can induce the formation of β‐crystal in MWCNT filled iPP nanocomposites. The β‐nucleating ability and β‐crystal content in MWCNT filled β‐nucleated iPP nanocomposites decreased with increasing MWCNT content and increased with increasing β‐nucleating agent content due to the nucleation competition between MWCNT and β‐nucleating agents. It is found that the calcium pimelate supported on the surface of inorganic particles as β‐nucleating agent has stronger heterogeneous β‐nucleation than calcium pimelate and TMB5. The MWCNT filled iPP nanocomposites with high β‐crystal content can be obtained by supported β‐nucleating agent. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:635–643, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and properties of nano‐CaCO3/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene composites

CaCO₃/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) and CaCO₃/ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/ABS nanocomposites were prepared by melting‐blend with a single‐screw extruder. Mechanical properties of the nanocomposites and the dispersion state of CaCO₃ particles in ABS matrix were investigated. The results showed that in CaCO₃/EVA/ABS nanocomposites, CaCO₃ nanoparticles could increase flexural modulus of the composites and maintain or increase their impact strength for a certain nano‐CaCO₃ loading range. The tensile strength of the nanocomposites, however, was appreciably decreased by adding CaCO₃ nanoparticles. The microstructure of neat ABS, CaCO₃/ABS nanocomposites, and CaCO₃/EVA/ABS nanocomposites was observed by scanning electron microscopy. It can be found that CaCO₃ nanoparticles were well‐dispersed in ABS matrix at nanoscale. The morphology of the fracture surfaces of the nanocomposites revealed that when CaCO₃/EVA/ABS nanocomposites were exposed to external force, nano‐CaCO₃ particles initiated and terminated crazing (silver streak), which can absorb more impact energy than neat ABS. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008