Morphological,thermal, and rheological properties of nylon/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene alloys

Melt blends of nylon-6/modified ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer) have been prepared using a single screw extruder. Electron microscopic observations revealed that the rubber particles are as finely dispersed as in ABS. Both the heat of fusion and the dynamic storage modulus of the blends were linear functions of the blend composition. The melting point of nylon crystallites and glass transition temperatures of poly(acrylonitrile-co-styrene) (AS) and the rubber phase in ABS and the amorphous phase in nylon were almost independent of the composition. Very high Izod impact strength was achieved over a broad compositional range. These facts suggest that the nylon and the modified ABS are not mixed on a molecular level although there must be sufficient interaction between them. The melt viscosities were increased with an increase in the ABS component. In the region of less than 65% ABS, the viscosities bend off to the zero-shear viscosity at low shear rates. Above 65% ABS, the viscosity curves were expressed by a power law fluid. The power law index decreased with an increase in the ABS content. The activation energy of flow vs. composition curve indicated a discontinuous point between 60% and 70% ABS. The phase inversion takes place at about 65% ABS, judging from the rheological point of view.