Relationship between structure and properties in high-performance PA6/SEBS-g-MA/(PPO/PS) blends: The role of PPO and PS

This work aimed at studying the role of poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) and polystyrene (PS) in toughening polyamide-6 (PA6)/styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) blends. The effects of weight ratio and content of PPO/PS on the morphology and mechanical behaviors of PA6/SEBS-g-MA/(PPO/PS) blends were studied by scanning electron microscope and mechanical tests. Driving by the interfacial tension and the spreading coefficient, the core-shell particles formed by PPO/PS (core) and SEBS-g-MA (shell) played the key role in toughening the PA6 blends. As PS improved the distribution of the core-shell particles due to its low viscosity, and PPO guaranteed the entanglement density of the PPO/PS phase, the 3/1 weight ratio of PPO/PS supplied the blends optimal mechanical properties. Within certain range, the increased content of PPO/PS could supply more efficient toughening particles and bring better mechanical properties. Thus, by adjusting the weight ratio and content of PPO and PS, the PA6/SEBS-g-MA/(PPO/PS) blends with excellent impact strength, high tensile strength, and good heat deflection temperature were obtained. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45281.