Effect of compatibilizers on the mechanical and morphological properties of polycarbonate/poly (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) blends

Blending the existing polymers have an added advantage over the conventional polymers. However, compatibility of the materials is a problem. In this study, metacrylate butadiene styrene (MBS) and polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) were added as a single compatibilizer on polycarbonate/poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) blends (PC/ABS). The effects of the compatibilizer addition on the mechanical and morphological properties were investigated. The PC/ABS blends were prepared in various compositions of 70/30, 60/40, 50/50 with fixed 2 phr MBS or PP-g-MA. PC/ABS blends were prepared by using twin-screw extruder, and test samples by injection molding. Results indicated that MBS exhibited higher tensile strength, hardness, and density, but lower impact strength and elongation compared with PP-g-MA. The tensile strength, elongation, and hardness tended to increase with increasing PC content; however, the impact strength was almost the same. Scanning electron microscopic examination showed that PC/ABS blend compatibilized with PP-g-MA was more porous than the one with MBS. Based on the results, it was found that PP-g-MA was a more effective compatibilizer for the PC/ABS 70/30 blend than MBS. The values of tensile strength, hardness, elongation, density, and impact strength were 602 kg/cm², 79.1 Shore A, 15.3 %, 1.05 g/cm³, and 5.5 kgf/cm respectively. (paper)