High-impact polystyrene rheological properties

GRT particles of sizes of lower than 500 xm and between 500-1000 trm were blended with a postconsumer PP and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) at ratios of 90/10 and 70/30 (Montagna and Santana, 2012). The rheological, physical, and mechanical properties of blends were measured. The addition of GRT reduced the mechanical properties with the reduction being dependent on the particle size. The incorporation of GRT particles into the recycled HIPS and PP matrix led to a decrease and an increase of viscosity, respectively. The extent of the effect was dependent on particle size. 

Han, C. D., Measurement of the rheological properties of polynm melts with slit rheometer. I. Homopolymer Systems. II. Blend Systems. IB. TWo Phase Systems— High Impact Polystyrene and ABS Resins, J. Appl Pofym. ScL, IS, 2567-2577 (I), 2579-2589 (II), 2591-2596 (IB) (1971). 

As block copolymers are still rather expensive materials, it may be advantageous to use them as additives to important industrial polymers. In this domain, possibilities are extremely numerous and diverse. They include an improvement of chemical properties such as resistence to degradation agents, or rheological properties such as adhesion of vinylic paints, high impact properties of conventional thermoplastics, or a compatibilization of polyolefins, polystyrene and poly(vinyl chloride) allowing the reuse of polymeric waste products. The above examples illustrate the great intrinsic potential of block copolymers in the quest of new materials with specific properties. 

Studies on the morphology and on the melt rheological, tensile, and impact properties were carried out on ternary blend of iPP with two of the following polymers low and high density polyethylene, styrene-b-ethylene butylene-b-styrene triblock copolymer, polystyrene, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (30-33). The results are interpreted for the effect of each individual component by comparing the ternary blends with the respective iPP-based binary blends as the reference systems. 

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