Effects of compatilizers on mechanical, morphology and dynamic mechanical properties of LGF/TPU/SAN composites

The present paper summarizes an experimental study on the mechanical, morphology, and dynamic mechanical properties of long glass fibers reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU) and styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN) (LGF/TPU/SAN) composites. Variations in mechanical strength, storage modulus (E) and damping parameter (tan ) with the addition of different compatilizers were investigated. It was observed that the tensile, flexural and impact strengths of LGF/TPU/SAN composites treated with the compatilizers increased in comparison to the untreated composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis data showed an increase in the storage modulus of the treated composites. Further, the storage modulus of the composites treated with styrene grafted maleic anhydride (SMA) increased in comparison to treated with styrene-acrylonitrile grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (SAG). The tan spectra presented a strong influence of the compatilizers on the peak value of LGF/TPU/SAN composites. The fibers-matrix morphology in the untreated and treated composites was confirmed by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the impact fractured specimens. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:E48-E52, 2018. (c) 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers