MICROSTRUCTURE, DEFORMATION, AND FRACTURE-BEHAVIOR OF COMMERCIAL ABS RESINS

The microstructure, deformation, and fracture behavior of commercial A BS resins were investigated. Fracture mechanics studies were carried o ut under both static and dynamic conditions. Fracture toughness was ev aluated via the J-integral analysis. In addition static fracture exper iments were conducted at different temperatures. The ABS resins assaye d here exhibited different deformation and fracture behavior depending on loading mode, matrix molecular weight, strain rate, temperature, r ubber content, and morphologies. The reasons for this material's behav ior are discussed with the help of scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) investigation methods. The major source of to ughness seems to be matrix crazing and rubber cavitation under both st atic and dynamic experiences, but at low strain rates shear yielding a lso contributes to toughening. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.