Direct Compatibilization of PS/EPDM/PA6 Ternary Polymer Blends Through EPDM-G-GMA: Effect of Comonomer Content on the Morphology and Properties

In this study, Ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) and Polyamide6 (PA6) were used toimprove the toughness while maintaining tensile modulus of Polystyrene (PS) as a general purposepolymer widely used in several industrial applications. The effect of the direct injection of GMA (glycidylmethacrylate) as a functionalizing monomer on the morphology and properties PS/EPDM/PA6blendswas investigated. PS/EPDM/PA6 ternary blends containing GMA monomer and DCP(dicumylperoxide) initiator were prepared by a batch internal mixer at 120 rpm and 220 ºC. ATR-FTIR(Attenuated total reflection- Fourier transform infrared) results confirmed the grafting reaction of GMAfunctionalizing monomer on the polymer backbone and the epoxy-amine compatibilizing reaction. SEMmicrographs of all studied ternary blends showed to change the type of morphology from separateddispersed to partial core-shell morphology. The finest morphology was achieved at 10 wt.% EPDM-g-GMA (T10-C). The results of tensile test showed a valley shape for tensile modulus (min at T10-C1835±25 MPa and a hill shape for yielding stress (max at T10-C 27.2±0.6 MPa). This behavior can beattributed to an increasing interfacial adhesion in low content of compatibilizer (up to 10 wt.%) andappearing a coarse morphology in high content of compatibilizer (up to 15 wt.%) because ofcoalescence phenomenon in the rubber phase. An impact test showed a hill shape (max T10-C 32.7±0.7J/m). A sudden fall of impact strength in high content of compatibilizer (T15-C) can be due to stressconcentration on the large dispersed particles. Finally, it can be claimed that the ternary blendcontaining 10 wt.% (T10-C) appeared the most balanced mechanical properties and the finestmorphology.

Direct Compatibilization of PS/EPDM/PA6 Ternary Polymer Blends Through EPDM-G-GMA: Effect of Comonomer Content on the Morphology and Properties Keywords:

Polymers , Ternary Blends , Direct compatibilizing , glycidyl methacrylate , Toughness