Olefinic impact modifiers

Instead of block copolymers, the use of pseudo-random linear copolymers of an aliphatic a-olefin and a vinyl aromatic monomer has been reported [20], where the styrene content of the polymer must be higher than 40 wt%. Preferred are styrene and ethylene copolymers. These blends may contain, amongst other things, an elastomeric olefinic impact modifier such as homopolymers and copolymers of a-olefins. Presumably the styrene-ethylene copolymer acts as a polymer emulsifier for the olefinic impact modifier. Using 5 wt% of an ethylene-styrene (30 70) copolymer and 20% of an ethylene-octene impact modifier in sPS, a tensile elongation (ASTM D638) of 25 % was obtained. 

In some cases, the SPS/nylon compositions include olefinic impact modifiers that are compatibilized with the matrix nylon via a maleic anhydride-functionalized olefin. The concept is that the maleic anhdydride portion of the molecule reacts with the nylon, and the olefin part of the molecule is miscible with the olefin impact modifier. 

Obviously, there exists severe interplastics competition, e.g. PP vs. ABS, clarified PP vs. PS, PA, PVC, HDPE and PS (Table 10.7). A wide range of cross-linked and thermoplastic elastomer applications, from footware to automotive parts and toothbrushes, are adopting new metallocene-catalysed polyolefin elastomers (POEs). These low-density copolymers of ethylene and octene were first accepted as impact modifiers for TPOs, but now displace EPDM, (foamed) EVA, flexible PVC, and olefinic thermoplastic vulcanisates (TPVs). Interpolymer competition may also result from... 

Impact Modifiers. Notched impact strength and ductility can be improved with the incorporation of impact modifiers, which also can lower the britde— ductile transition temperature and give much improved low temperature toughness. Impact modifiers are rubbers (often olefin copolymers) that are either modified or contain functional groups to make them more compatible with the nylon matrix. Dispersion of the mbber into small (micrometer size) particles is important in order to obtain effective toughening (29). Impact modifiers can be combined with other additives, such as glass fiber and minerals, in order to obtain a particular balance of stiffness and toughness. 

On the other hand, it is not always necessary that an interfacial agent be present. Polypropylene is available in impact-modified grades which are made by simply blending polypropylene with suitable olefin-based elastomers. Most often the elastomer is a suitably chosen ethylene-propylene-based rubber. Evidently, the required adhesion develops naturally in these systems without the need for an interfacial agent. However, proper control of phase morphology during mixing is essential. 

The use of olefin rubbers [18] as good impact modifiers for sPS when used in conjunction with S-B or S-B-S block copolymers, which may be hydrogenated in the butadiene phase, has also been described. Instead of butadiene, isoprene can be used. Examples of the olefinic polymers are polyethylene, ethylene-propylene rubbers (EPR) and polypropylene-(ethylene propylene rubber) block copolymers. Here the styrene block copolymers presumably function as... 

Impact modifiers for POs are not all based on olefinic chemistries, nor are they only used for "TPO"-typ injection-moldable automotive materials. In the area of packaging film, for example thin PE and PP films suffer from poor... 

A final word in this short summary of impact modification concerns the amount of imagination compounders and polymer scientists continue to invest in the development of rubber-modified compoimds. Efforts are being made to decrease their compounding costs, to enhance their paintability, and to formulate them to replace more competing materials such as ABS, thermoset rubber, and PVC—thereby allowing more recyclable "aU-olefin" automotive interiors, for example. Recent efforts have even been made to incorporate ground vehicle tire rubber or other "ultrafine rubber particles into PP to create vulcanized elastomeric thermoplastics that cost less than half as much as standard TPVs. Similar concepts will continue to push impact-modified POs into new applications [7-26, 7-27, 7-28]. 

Objective Efficient Impact modification of mLLDPE film. Solution New modifiers based on a nonolefinic elastomer. The properties obtamable from PO film created with metallocene catalyst technology can result in consistent film materials with high toughness. Yet Impact-modification strategies can stlU be used to enhance the tear and puncture resistance of these films. And these Impact modifiers do not themselves need to be based on olefinic chemistries. 

Pickton[73] reported impact modified nylon blends of poly(2-methyl pentamethylene terephthalamide) and an ionomer such as a partially neutralized copolymer of -olefin and, -ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid as minor component. Melt blending of poly(2-methyl pentamethylene terephthalamide) and 1 wt% Du Pont Surlyn 8527 at 290 °C gave tensile modulus 68.4 g/d, tensile strength 7.4 g/d, and elongation at break 18.2%. 

Thermoplastic olefin (TPO) compositions typically consist of an immiscible blend of an isotactic polypropylene mixed with a polyolefin elastomer that acts as an impact modifier. It is possible to toughen these compositions further by using ethylene-propylene, ethylene-octene or ethylene-hexene impact modifiers. 

Recently, impact modifiers have been developed for plastics other than PVC. Polybutylene and other olefinic thermoplastic elastomers, for example, are being used to enhance the processability, toughness, and heat stability of polypropylene film. Hydroxy-terminated polyethers are being used to increase the impact resistance of polystyrene. Other conunon applications are polycarbonate, polyurethane, thermoplastic polyester, epoxy, and polysulfone. 

UnfiUed. Impact- modified 10-20% Glass Fiber-reinforced 10-40% Talc-filled High and Medium Flow Heat- resistant 20% Long and ShGlass Fiber-reinforced Flame- retarded, UL-VO High- impact Syrene-Acrylonitrile (SAN) Olefin Molding Rubber and Extrusion modified ... 

Isopropanol vapor was used to dissolve the matrix in polymer blends [245]. Williams and Hudson [246] etched microtomed blocks of high impact polystyrene so that the rubber particles protruded from the matrix. Later, Kesskula and Traylor [130] removed rubber particles from Hire and ABS polymers by dissolving the matrix in a cyclohexane solution of osmium tetroxide and extracting the dispersed phase for SEM. Olefin particles were removed from impact modified nylon and polyester [6]. Selective etching of the polycarbonate phase with triethyl-amine in a mixture with styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) revealed the nature of the blend [247]. 

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