Toughening and Compatibilization of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene/Poly (Ethylene Terephthalate) Blends

The blends of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)/poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) compatibilized by styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) and toughened by ABS high glue powder (ABS-HGP) were prepared by extrusion and injection molding. Adding SMA, the Izod impact strength, elongation at break, viscosity and Vicat temperature of blends were improved. Differential scanning colorimeter showed ABS andSMAhindered the crystallization process of PET and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the domain size of PET in compatibilized blends became small and the distribution appeared to be uniform. ABS-HGP can toughen ABS/PET/SMA blends well. Adding 20 wt% ABS-HGP, the Izod impact strength of the blends improved from 8.9 KJ/m(2) to 18.6 KJ/m(2) and elongation at break increased from 38.9% to 76.1%. The viscosity of blends was increased a lot because of high glue powder. SEM showed the cavitation of rubber particles was the major toughening mechanism in ABS/PET/SMA/ABS-HGP blends.