COMPATIBILITY ENHANCEMENT OF ABS POLYCARBONATE BLENDS/

The effects of blend composition, melt viscosity of poly(acrylonitrile -butadiene-styrene) (ABS), and compatibilizing effect of poly(methyl m ethacrylate) (PMMA) on mechanical properties of ABS/polycarbonate (PC) blends at ABS-rich compositions were studied. As the content of PC wa s increased, impact strength and Vicat softening temperature (VST) wer e increased. As the melt viscosity of ABS was increased near to that o f PC, finer distribution of dispersed PC phase and consequent enhanced impact strength and VST were observed. The compatibilizing effect of PMMA can be ascertained from the enhanced properties of 1/4-inch notch impact strength, VST, tensile strength, and the morphology observed b y a scanning electron microscope. The improved adhesion of the ABS/PC interface by PMMA changed the fracture mechanism and reduced the notch sensitivity of blends. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.