Rubber particles

Impact polystyrene contains polybutadiene added to reduce brittleness. The polybutadiene is usually dispersed as a discrete phase in a continuous polystyrene matrix. Polystyrene can be grafted onto rubber particles, which assures good adhesion between the phases. 

Additional information on elastomer and SAN microstmcture is provided by C-nmr analysis (100). Rubber particle composition may be inferred from glass-transition data provided by thermal or mechanochemical analysis. Rubber particle morphology as obtained by transmission or scanning electron microscopy (101) is indicative of the ABS manufacturing process (77). (See Figs. 1 and 2.)... 

At the present time it is generally accepted that the toughening effect is associated with the crazing behaviour.Because of the presence of the low-modulus rubber particles most of the loading caused when a polyblend is subject to mechanical stress is taken up by the rigid phase (at least up to the moment of... 

Figure 3.9. Rubber particle straddling craze perpendicular to stress is subjected to triaxial stresses and because of its high bulk modulus becomes load bearing. (After Bucknall )...

The rubber particles should not be so small that they are completely embedded in a craze. It is interesting to note that in high-impact polystyrene crazes tend to be about 2 p.m thick and the optimum particle sizes observed as a result of experience are quoted in the range 1-10 p.m. For ABS the figures are about 0.5 p.m and 0.1-l.Op.m respectively. 

Since the mid-1950s several materials have been found effective in combating ozone-initiated degradation, in particular certain p-phenylenediamine derivatives. The actual choice of such antiozonants depends on the type of polymer and on whether or not the polymer is to be subject to dynamic stressing in service. Since antiozonants are not known to have any use in plastics materials, even those which may have certain rubber particles for toughening, they will not be dealt with further here. Anyone interested further should consult references 3-5. 

The term ABS was originally used as a general term to describe various blends and copolymers containing acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. Prominent among the earliest materials were physical blends of acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers (SAN) (which are glassy) and acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers (which are rubbery). Such materials are now obsolete but are referred to briefly below, as Type 1 materials, since they do illustrate some basic principles. Today the term ABS usually refers to a product consisting of discrete cross-linked polybutadiene rubber particles that are grafted with SAN and embedded in a SAN matrix. 

An example that shows that the cohesive strength of a material is less than that of the adhesional strength of the interface is that of the nominal 50,000 mile steel belted radial tire. It is a simple calculation to show that, on average, a tire leaves a monolayer of rubber particles on the road every time it makes a rotation. In essence, the strength of the adhesional bonding between the road and the tire is greater than that of the rubber within the tire. 

SBR latices are high-solids dispersions of rubber particles in water, the viscosity and rheology of which are, in general, independent of the polymer properties, unlike solutions. They offer a wide range of molecular weight and glass transition temperature. Three classes of SBR latices are available in the market. 

Compo- sition number Resin type/parts per 100 parts of mbber (phr) Sulfur (phr) Y Method of preparation Cross- link density, r/2 (moles X 10 per ml of mbber) Rubber particle size (pm) Young s modulus (MPa) Stress at 100% strain (MPa) Tens. str. (MPa) UlL elong. (%) Tens. set (%)... 

The olefinic type of TPR is the latest development and is different in that it consists of fine rubber particles in a thermoplastic matrix as shown in Fig. 1.1. 

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers are similar in stmeture, but the acrylonitrile hardens the polymer. Minute rubber particles act as stress-relief centers, making it good for large objects luggage or car body parts. It can be chrome plated, foamed, injection molded, blown, and alloyed wiih other pla.siic. . 

New elastic polymeric materials (resistance to higher stroke or air) can be obtained by using physical modification methods, but using this method, two phases (PS and rubber) in the mixture were formed. Small rubber particles spread as a PS layer and, after awhile, the relationship between the layers decreases and rubber particles gather in the upper layer of the materials. This can be the cause of the loss of resistance of the materials. These material disadvantages have stimulated the polymer synthesis to increase the PS resistance to higher physico-mechanical properties, such as higher temperature and stroke for the chemical modification of PS with various functional modifiers. 

Id. Thus, it is expected that in the modified PRP-EVA blend, probably due to interface modification by reactive processing, a transesterification between the pendant MAH group in MAH-PP, and acetate groups in the EVA elastomer, as predicted in reaction Scheme 1, the dispersed rubber particles become more efficient in craze initiation. 

A compatibilizer is sometimes used to overcome the interfacial tension between the two phases of dissimilar polymers. It enables a fine dispersion of highly cross-linked rubber particles. The function of the compatibilizer is to provide greater, but not total, thermodynamic compatibility between the two polymers [8]. 

Rubber particle size (/i.m) Large particles in blends (%) Rubber phase volume fraction Notched Izod impact strength ft. Ibs/in. Gloss... 

Heterogeneous compatible blends of preformed elastomers and brittle plastics are also an important route for the development of blends of enhanced performance with respect to crack or impact resistance. Polycarbonate blends with preformed rubber particles of different sizes have been used to provide an insight into the impact properties and the fracture modes of these toughened materials. Izod impact strength of the blends having 5-7.5 wt% of rubber particles exhibits best overall product performance over a wide range temperature (RT to -40°C) [151-154]. 

The important factors that affect the rubber toughening are (1) interfacial adhesion, (2) nature of the matrix, (3) concentration of the rubber phase, and (4) shape and size of the rubber particles. In the PS-XNBR blend containing OPS, due to the reaction between oxazoline groups of OPS and carboxylic groups of XNBR, the interfacial adhesion increases and as a result, the minor rubber phase becomes more dispersed. The immiscible blend needs an optimum interfacial adhesion and particle size for maximum impact property. In PS-XNBR, a very small concentration of OPS provides this optimum interfacial adhesion and particle size. The interfacial adhesion beyond this point does not necessarily result in further toughening. 

If high impact resistance is required, the PA can be modified with rubber particles.11,15 The blends are usually made by reactive compounding from maleic-anhydride-modified rubbers, such as, EPDM, EPR, polybutadiene, or SEBS. Partial amorphous PA with a high Tg combines to give a high dimensional stability and good solvent resistance with transparency. 

Rubber is a polymer of isoprene (15). Natural rubber is obtained from the bark of the rubber tree as a milky white liquid, which is called latex (Fig. 19.8) and consists of a suspension of rubber particles in water. The rubber itself is a soft white solid that becomes even softer when warm. It is used for pencil erasers and was once used as crepe rubber for the soles of shoes. 

Figure 3.4 Mechanism of reinforcement by rubber particles in a glassy polymer matrix...

Kikuchi Y., Eukui T., Okada T., and Inoue T. Origin of rubber elasticity in thermoplastic elastomers consisting of crossUnked rubber particles and ductile matrix, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., Appl. Polym. Symp., 50, 261, 1992. 

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