Impact modification of PA-6 and PBT by epoxy-functionalized rubbers

• Published in: Macromolecular symposia. Vol. 202; no. 1; pp. 59 - 66
• Main Authors: Lievana, Emiliano, Karger-Kocsis, József
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.10.2003; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Butadiene; EPDM; epoxy functionalization; Ethylene; Fracture toughness; grafting; Impact strength; Matrices; NBR; PA-6; PBT; Polybutylene terephthalates; Polymer blends; Rubber; toughness
• ISSN: 1022-1360; 1521-3900
• DOI: 10.1002/masy.200351206

Glycidylmethacrylate (GMA) grafted apolar (ethylene/propylene/diene ‐ EPDM) and polar (acrylonitrile/butadiene ‐ NBR) rubbers were melt blended with polyamide‐6 (PA‐6) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The toughness of the blends containing 5, 10 and 50 wt.% epoxy functionalized rubbers was assessed by various methods (notched Charpy, perforation impact) as a function of temperature (T=23 and −40°C). The notched Charpy tests served to deduce the fracture toughness (Kc) and energy (Gc) data. It was established that EPDM‐g‐GMA is a slightly better impact modifier than is NBR‐g‐GMA albeit the latter polar rubber is more compatible with both matrices than the less polar EPDM‐g‐GMA. This finding was traced to the difference in the glass transition temperature (Tg of NBR is higher than that of EPDM) and to the dispersion of the epoxy functionalized rubbers.