Oxazoline-functionalized hydrogenated nitrile rubber as impact modifier for polyamide-6

Hydrogenated nitrile rubber (Therban) was modified in the solution and in t he melt to introduce oxazoline units into the chain. Conversion of nitrile groups reached about 40% what corresponds 13.6 mol% of oxazoline units in t he modified sample. The chemical structure of product was confirmed by FTIR and 2D NMR spectra. To calculate the degree of conversion from IR spectra, correlation between H-1 NMR and IR data was found. Blends of modified samples with polyamide-6 were prepared. DSC data seem to indicate the partial miscibility of blend components as a result of the cr eation of covalent bonds between them. By addition of modified rubber, impa ct strength of the polyamide was highly improved. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.