Modification of the grafting character to prepare PA6/ABS-g-MA blends with higher toughness and stiffness

• Published in: Polymer bulletin (Berlin, Germany) Germany), 2013-06, Vol.70 (6), p.1853-1862
• Main Authors: Fu, Yan, Song, Haihe, Zhou, Chao, Zhang, Huixuan, Sun, Shulin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical reactions; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Complex Fluids and Microfluidics; Copolymers; Core-shell particles; Efficiency; Emulsion polymerization; Exact sciences and technology; Extrusion moulding; Graft copolymers; Impact strength; Interface reactions; Machinery and processing; Maleic anhydride; Moulding; Organic Chemistry; Original Paper; Physical Chemistry; Plastics; Polymer blends; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer Sciences; Polymers; Soft and Granular Matter; Stiffness; Styrenes; Surface tension; Technology of polymers; Temperature; Toughness
• ISSN: 0170-0839; 1436-2449
• DOI: 10.1007/s00289-012-0879-7

Tert -dodecyl mercaptan (TDDM) was used to modify the grafting character of maleic anhydride–functionalized acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene core–shell particles (ABS- g -MA). With the increase of TDDM content, the grafting degree and grafting efficiency of ABS- g -MA particles decrease, which induce the decrease of grafted acrylonitrile–styrene–maleic anhydride copolymer ( g -SAM) and the increase of free acrylonitrile–styrene–maleic anhydride copolymer (f-SAM). The change of the g -SAM and f-SAM content modifies the chemical reactions degree at the interface and in the matrix. The interface reaction can decrease the interfacial tension and prohibit the agglomeration of ABS- g -MA particles, which have been testified by Molau test and SEM observation. The interface reaction is beneficial to the toughness improvement and the reaction in the matrix leads to higher stiffness. In the present paper, when TDDM content is 0.28 %, PA6/ABS- g -MA blend shows superior toughness and higher stiffness.