Preparation and evaluation of the morphology, flammability, and mechanical properties of the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/poly (vinyl chloride) blends

Blends of two grades of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) with three different compounds of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) were prepared via melt processing and their morphology, flammability, and physical and mechanical properties were investigated. SEM results, showed that the ABS/PVC blend is a compatible system. Also, it can be inferred from fracture surface images that ABS/PVC blends are tough, even at low temperatures. It was found that properties of these blends significantly depend on blend composition and PVC compound type; however, the ABS types have only a small effect on blend properties. On blending of ABS with a soft PVC compound, impact strength, and melt flow index (MFI) increased, but tensile and flexural strength decreased. In contrast, blending of ABS with a rigid PVC compound improved fire retardancy and some mechanical properties and decreased MFI and impact strength.