Effect of SAN-g-EPDM on the properties of SAN/EPDM blends via melt processing

ABS copolymer is one of the most commonly used engineering plastics. However, its poor heat resistance and weathering limit the outdoor use of it. Among the several attempts to improve the poor performance, the substitution of the EPDM for Butadiene has been widely investigated. In this study, the influence of Acrylonitrile-EPDM-Styrene (Centrex 601) as a co-agent on some properties of SAN/EPDM blends was examined. The experimental results show that the toughness of the blends can be modified greatly by the introduction of Centrex. SAN/EPDM blends wereprepared at various level of EPDM content with 6, 8, 10 and 20 wt% Centrex. Morphological observations indicate a finer dispersion of the EPDM particles in the SAN/EPDM/Centrex blends. Rheological properties of EPDM, SAN, simple blend of SAN/EPDM and SAN/EPDM/Centrex at three temperatures were measured. The stress at break shows a positive deviation from mixing rule at 20 wt% Centrex. Impact strength of the blends increases rapidly by adding of coagent. The STA results show that at high temperatures, the blends containing 20 wt% Centrex has superior thermal stability compared to the ABS.

Keywords:

SAN , EPDM , Blend , Co-agent , Compatibilization