COMPATIBILIZATION OF POLYAMIDE ACRYLONITRILE-BUTADIENE-STYRENE POLYMER BLENDS/

Compatibilization effect of the copolymer methyl methacrylate-acryloni trile, MMA-ACN, in polyamide/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymer, PA/ABS, blends was studied. Tensile impact strength of the blends was selected as a criterion of compatibilizer efficiency. The investigatio n includes the influence of: (i) compatibilizer preparation, (ii) mixi ng procedure, and (iii) the type of catalyst accelerating reaction bet ween ester and amino groups. The viscosity change during the blending process in the Brabender chamber was followed by measuring the torque in molten mixture. Scanning electron microscopy, SEM, and X-ray diffra ction method were used for investigation of supermolecular structure o f the blends. A two-step blending procedure involving premixing PA and MMA-ACN prior to blending with ABS polymer is an efficient and feasib le way for preparation of PA/ABS blends with properties useful in tech nical applications.