The effect of matrix toughness and dispersed elastomer phase on the brittle-ductile transition in PP/HDPE/SBS blends

In this paper the sbrittle-ductile transition of polypropylene, high density polyethylene, and a styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer (PP/HDPE/SBS) ternary blends is investigated for fixed compositions and prepared under various conditions. The morphology of the SBS dispersed phase particles and impact strength of the PP ternary blends is closely related to the processing conditions. There is a sharp Brittle-Ductile transition for the ternary blends when interparticle distance T becomes less than the critical interparticle distance T_c. Both the impact strength in general and more specifically, T_c depend upon the toughness of the PP/HDPE composite matrix.