Mf. Cheung et Hk. Plummer, IZOD IMPACT FRACTURE MORPHOLOGY OF RUBBER-TOUGHENED POLYSULFONE AND POLY(PHENYLENE SULFIDE) BLENDS, Polymer engineering and science, 36(1), 1996, pp. 15-22
Blends of polysulfone (PSF) and poly-phenylene sulfide) (PPS) exhibit
ductile behavior, below 35% by weight PPS, under tensile loading condi
tions. However, the blends are notch sensitive to Izod impact. The use
of a core-shell type rubber-modifier effectively toughens the blends.
Notched Izod impact strength rises, from similar to 50 J/m to about 9
00 j/m, by increasing rubber content from 0% to 10-15%. It remains con
stant at a rubber content > 10-15%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
is used to study the morphology of the fracture surfaces. At low modi
fier content (5%), smooth or mesa-like fracture surfaces are observed.
Voids and interfacial debonding are revealed. With a higher concentra
tion of toughening agent (> 10%), some crazing is evident but not cons
istent. However, matrix yielding and extensive plastic flow of the PSF
/PPS matrix are seen throughout, with a higher level of rubber modifie
r.