Influences of component ratio of minor phases and charge sequence on the morphology and mechanical properties of PP/PS/PA6 ternary blends

In this study, influences of both component ratio of minor phases and charge sequence on the morphology and mechanical performance in typical ternary blends, polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene (PS)/polyamide-6 (PA6), have been studied. Reactive compatibilization of the blends has been carried out using multi-monomer melt grafted PP with anhydride groups and styrene segments. For uncompatibilized blends, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and selective solvent extraction showed that the blends presented a core–shell morphology with PS as shell and PA6 as core in the PP matrix, in spite of the component ratio and charge sequence. The shell thickened and droplet size decreased with increasing the PS/PA6 component ratio. While for compatibilized blends, the addition of compatibilizers resulted in a significant reduction of the dispersed droplet size and the phase structure of the dispersed phases was greatly dependent on the charge sequence. When the blending of PA6, g-PP, and PP are preceded, the encapsulation structure reversed into the structure of PS phase encapsulated by PA6 phase, which led to better tensile and flexural strength of the blends.