Yield strength styrene blends

To improve the notched impact strength and to prevent hydrolysis induced embrittlement of PBT, PBT-styrenic blends have been thoroughly investigated. In comparison with ASA-PC, blends of ASA and PBT generally have to be compa-tibilized in order to yield acceptable mechanical properties. In the case of glass fibre reinforced PBT-ASA blends, an added and important bonus is reduced warpage properties on injection moulding in comparison with reinforced PBT. 

Most polystyrene products are not homopolystyrene since the latter is relatively brittle with low impact and solvent resistance (Secs. 3-14b, 6-la). Various combinations of copolymerization and blending are used to improve the properties of polystyrene [Moore, 1989]. Copolymerization of styrene with 1,3-butadiene imparts sufficient flexibility to yield elastomeric products [styrene-1,3-butadiene rubbers (SBR)]. Most SBR rubbers (trade names Buna, GR-S, Philprene) are about 25% styrene-75% 1,3-butadiene copolymer produced by emulsion polymerization some are produced by anionic polymerization. About 2 billion pounds per year are produced in the United States. SBR is similar to natural rubber in tensile strength, has somewhat better ozone resistance and weatherability but has poorer resilience and greater heat buildup. SBR can be blended with oil (referred to as oil-extended SBR) to lower raw material costs without excessive loss of physical properties. SBR is also blended with other polymers to combine properties. The major use for SBR is in tires. Other uses include belting, hose, molded and extruded goods, flooring, shoe soles, coated fabrics, and electrical insulation. 

In a quite different but very important industrial area, free-radical polymerizations have made great inroads In the optimization of the desired commercial properties of impact-modified poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). In a most sophisticated variation, grafted impact modifiers based on the quaterpolymerization of acrylic esters, butadiene, styrene, and acrylonitrile have been produced and almost precisely match the refractive index of PVC. The blending of the Impact modifier with PVC yields a completely clear polymer suitable for shampoo bottles and food containers. In addition to excellent clarity these polymers have extremely good impact strength combined with improved fabricability by flow molding equipment. 

Young s modulus, yield (break) strength, and elongation to yield (break) have been measured for blends of poly (2,6-dimethyl-1, 4-phenylene oxide)(PPO) with polystyrene (PS), poly (p-chloro-styrene) (PpClS), and random copolymers of styrene and 2 -ch loro-styrene)(pels). The significant difference between blend compositions is the compatibility of PPO with each styrene polymer. 

For noncompatibilized PP/PC blends, the compositional dependence of the heat deflection temperature (HDT), modulus, yield and frachue strength showed a negative deviation from additivity. Addition of a compatibilizer improved the blend performance. Excellent mechanical properties, impact strength, HDT, moldability, and solvent and chemical resistance have been claimed for compatibilized blends containing 5-95 wt.% of either PP or PC. The best overall effects were observed using poly(propylene-g-styrene/acrylonitrile). 

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