Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer properties

Y. Li and H. Shimizu, Improvement in toughness of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) through reactive blending with acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) Morphology and properties, Eur. Polym. J., 45 (3) 738-746, March 2009. 

A. Arostegui, M. Sarrionandia, J. Aurrekoetxea, and I. Urrutibeas-coa, Effect of dissolution-based recycling on the degradation and the mechanical properties of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, Polym. Degrad. Stab., 91(ll) 2768-2774, November 2006. 

Fe203 and Fe304 in presence of a chloride source act as flame retardants for nitrile-containing plastics and rubbers such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers.52 The activity appears to be connected with the formation of FeCl3 on combustion, but other properties of FeCl3 itself make it unsuitable for direct use. If an alkyl chloride is present iron(II) citrate may be used, and for halogen-containing nitrile polymers acetates, stearates, sulfates and carbonates are effective. 

The microphase structure and mechanical properties of the blends containing neat acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) and sodium sulfonated SAN ionomer have been investigated as a function of ion content of the ionomer in the blend by Park et a/.51 The interfacial adhesion was quantified by H NMR solid echo experiments. The amount of interphase for the blend containing the SAN ionomer with low ion content (3.1 mol%) was nearly the same as that of ABS, but it decreases with the ion content of the ionomer for the blend with an ion content greater than 3.1 mol%. Changing the ionomer content in the blends shows a positive deviation from the rule of mixtures in tensile properties of the blends containing the SAN ionomer with low ion content. This seems to result from the enhanced tensile properties of the SAN ionomer, interfacial adhesion between the rubber and matrix, and the stress concentration effect of the secondary particles. 

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS) are random styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers grafted to butadiene, which are amorphous, opaque, and process easily. The properties depend on the ratios of the comonomers used. ABS is used in cosmetics packaging, and has been used in margarine tubs. 

The wide variety of applications of anaerobic adhesives and sealants is made possible by the modifications that make the viscosity appropriate to the application. An application that requires penetration into close-fitting parts should have very low viscosity, while a produet used with large, loose-fitting parts should have a high viscosity. A styrene aerylate eopolymer could be used to increase the viscosity [59]. Polymethacrylates, eellulose esters, butadiene-styrene eopolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, poly(vinyl ehloride), copolymers of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate, poly(vinyl aeetate), eellulose ethers, polyesters, polyurethanes, and other thermoplastic resins have also been used to eontrol the flow eharacteristics of anaerobic sealants [60]. The flow eharaeteristies of anaerobic formulations can also be controlled by the addition of fumed siliea and other solid additives whieh can impart thixotropic properties [61]. 

Incorporation of 0.1—4% zeolites 13X, 5A, 4A, lOX, XW and ala) natural zeolites and synthetic pdyn rs (polystyrene, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, poly propylene, acrylonitrile, butadiene styrene copolymer, poly (methyl methacrylate or polyetl lene) containing 0.1-4% antistatic agent improves antistatic properties. However tire zeolites alone fail to do so In another instance a composition of polyvinylchloride 100, dioctylthalate 80, stabilizer 2, Pd-stearate-1, and zeolite 100 parts is rolled at 160 ° and pressed to give a white sheet having surface resistivity 3.8 x 10 ohm-cm coitq>ared with 1.5 X 10 ohm-cm for a similar sheet containing calcium carbonate in place of zedite, vdiich reflects the definite role of these zeolites in improving the antistatic properties of the composition. 

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) has generally poor weathering properties styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) is better if properly stabilized. 

The properties of a polymeric plastic can most easily be modified if it is a copolymer of two or more different monomers. A well-known example is ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) copolymer, commonly used for the body shells of computers and other electronic apparatus. Its properties can be preselected by varying the proportions of the component monomers. 

Blending two or more polymers offers yet another method of tailoring resins to a specific application. Because blends are only physical mixtures, the resulting polymer usually has physical and mechanical properties that lie somewhere between the values of its constiment materials. For instance, an automotive bumper made from a blend of PC resin and thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer gains rigidity from the PC resin and retains most of the flexibility and paintability of the polyurethane elastomer. For business machine housings, a blend of PC and ABS (acrylonitrile—butadiene—styrene copolymer) resins offers the enhanced performance of PC flame retar-dance and ultraviolet (UV) stability at a lower cost. 

The products based on starch/EVOH show mechanical properties good enough to meet the needs of specific industrial applications (133). Their moldabil-ity is comparable with that of traditional plastics such as polystyrene (PS) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS). Nevertheless, they continue to be highly sensitive to low humidities, especially when in film form, with evident embrittlement. 

Polymer Blends.—In addition to the work on polyester—polyamide blends reported in Section 2, several other papers describe the characteristics of various polymer formulations with polyamides. Biconstituent fibres have been formed from nylon-6 and poly(ethylene terephthalate). The same polyamide and nylon-12 have been blended with acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer and the temperature and the concentration dependence of the dynamic modulus evaluated. The rheological properties of acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer/nylon-6 mixture have also been reported. Fourier transform infrared studies of nylon-6 and PVC have indicated the presence of specific interactions between the two polymers in both the molten and solid states. Finally X-r y studies carried out on injection-moulded blends of nylon-6, -12, and -66, have revealed that the addition of small amounts of the second component initiates formation of the y-crystalline phase within the nylon-6 polymer matrix. ... 

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Copolymer/ PLA Blends Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), an amorphous graft copolymer comprised of a rigid linear styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) grafted to rubbery butadiene, has been used to toughen engineering plastics [25, 57]. To improve compatibility of the immiscible ABS/PLLA blends, and improve their mechanical properties,... 

The stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride) against light has been reviewed by Wirth and Andreas. Detailed mechanistic studies have indicated the importance of peroxides in the process of photo-oxidation. It was suggested that protection could be successfully achieved by exclusion of radiation of A < 380 nm. E.s.r. examination of irradiated samples demonstrated the intervention of peroxides in the mechanisms with the ultimate formation of carbonyl groups which caused chain scission by Norrish cleavage. Photo-oxidation of samples of poly(vinyl chloride) modified by incorporation of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene, and methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers has been investigated. Discolouration was accelerated by the presence of the modifiers. Thermal pre-treatment accelerated photo-induced decomposition. Mechanical properties were also examined, and scanning electron microscopy showed surface defects due to decomposition of the modifier. ... 

Most polymers used today are thermoplastics. Poiypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS) often find application as low-end consumer items, packaging or others. Technical parts are produced mostly from acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-copolymer (ABS), polyamide (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyether sulfone (PES), polycarbonate (PC), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), or polyimide (PI). Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a material often used in building construction, especially for roofing membranes, window frames, and pipes, and its properties (rigid or flexible) are generally modified by additives. 

Friction coefficient of material depends on surface properties of other material in contact." " Static coefficient of friction was 0.36, 0.31, 0.4, 0.54 between steel and polypropylene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, and polyamide 6, respectively (respective kinetic coefficients of fiiction were 0.26, 0.38, 0.27, 0.37). 

Acrylonitrile—Butadiene—Styrene. ABS is an important commercial polymer, with numerous apphcations. In the late 1950s, ABS was produced by emulsion grafting of styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers onto polybutadiene latex particles. This method continues to be the basis for a considerable volume of ABS manufacture. More recently, ABS has also been produced by continuous mass and mass-suspension processes (237). The various products may be mechanically blended for optimizing properties and cost. Brittle SAN, toughened by SAN-grafted ethylene—propylene and acrylate mbbets, is used in outdoor apphcations. Flame retardancy of ABS is improved by chlorinated PE and other flame-retarding additives (237). 

Rubber-Modified Copolymers. Acrylonitrile—butadiene—styrene polymers have become important commercial products since the mid-1950s. The development and properties of ABS polymers have been discussed in detail (76) (see Acrylonitrile polymers). ABS polymers, like HIPS, are two-phase systems in which the elastomer component is dispersed in the rigid SAN copolymer matrix. The electron photomicrographs in Figure 6 show the difference in morphology of mass vs emulsion ABS polymers. The differences in stmcture of the dispersed phases are primarily a result of differences in production processes, types of mbber used, and variation in mbber concentrations. 

Polycarbonate is blended with a number of polymers including PET, PBT, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABS) rubber, and styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer. The blends have lower costs compared to polycarbonate and, in addition, show some property improvement. PET and PBT impart better chemical resistance and processability, ABS imparts improved processability, and SMA imparts better retention of properties on aging at high temperature. Poly(phenylene oxide) blended with high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) (polybutadiene-gra/f-polystyrene) has improved toughness and processability. The impact strength of polyamides is improved by blending with an ethylene copolymer or ABS rubber. 

Most acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene terpolymer (ABS) is produced as a graft of SAN onto a butadiene polymer backbone. This graft copolymer may be blended with more SAN or acrylonitrile elastomer (NBR) to improve its properties. ABS is more ductile than SAN. The Tt and the heat deflection temperature of ABS vary with the composition, and ABS may have one set of values for the PBD domains and another set for the SAN matrix. The permeabilities of ABS to oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide are much less than those of hope. 

Methacrylonitrile (1) differs from 2 only in that it has a methyl (CH3) group on the a-carbon atom. It too is widely used in the preparation of homopolymers and copolymers, elastomers, and plastics and as a chemical intermediate in the preparation of acids, amides, amines, esters, and other nitriles. In a study conducted by the NTP in which 1 was administered orally to mice for 2 years, there was no evidence that it caused cancer, although other less serious toxic effects were noted [27]. Because 1 does not cause cancer, but undergoes many of the same nucleophilic addition reactions as 2 at the (3-carbon, it is sometimes used as a safer commercial replacement for 2, such as in the manufacture of an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-like polymer that provides improved barrier properties to gases such as carbon dioxide in carbonated beverage containers. 

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) Copolymers. This basic three-monomer system can be tailored to yield resins with a variety of properties. Acrylonitrile contributes heat resistance, high strength, and chemical resistance. Butadiene contributes impact strength, toughness, and retention of low-temperature properties. Styrene contributes gloss, processibility, and rigidity. ABS polymers are composed of discrete polybutadiene particles grafted with the styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer these are dispersed in the continuous matrix of the copolymer. 

Another widely used copolymer is high impact polystyrene (PS-HI), which is formed by grafting polystyrene to polybutadiene. Again, if styrene and butadiene are randomly copolymerized, the resulting material is an elastomer called styrene-butadiene-rubber (SBR). Another classic example of copolymerization is the terpolymer acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). Polymer blends belong to another family of polymeric materials which are made by mixing or blending two or more polymers to enhance the physical properties of each individual component. Common polymer blends include PP-PC, PVC-ABS, PE-PTFE and PC-ABS. 

ABS is short for poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) and this is a copolymer, so called because it is made from a mixture of basic monomer units, each of which bring some desirable property to the final product. ABS is widely used to make children s toys, car facias, and fingernail extensions. 

We have just discussed several methods for improving the mechanical properties of polymers. In addition to these techniques, one could think about synthesizing copolymers of styrene and less brittle monomer(s). Actually, we have already seen that this approach has been used with considerable success (see Chapter 5 and Table 5-2). Styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) terpolymers have excellent impact strength. Although sometimes copolymerization is a viable option, oftentimes a completely different approach is called for. Let s see how. 

Incorporation of Ti02 into polystyrene(s), styrene-acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, and other associated copolymers and alloys is normally by way of concentrates prepared on equipment similar to that used for polyethylene. This concentration step is usually necessary to achieve high-quality dis-persion so color properties are fully developed and physical properties are not compromised. 

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