Influence of maleic anhydride grafting on the rheological properties of polyethylene terephthalate-styrene butadiene blends

The theological properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-styrene buta diene rubber (SBR) blends are studied in this work. The shear viscosity was measured in a special capillary device mounted on an injection-molding mac hine, which provides data on pressure and flow rate. Comparison of the visc osity of the PET-SBR physical blend with that of the blend of PET with male ic anhydride-functionalized SBR (SBRg) provides information on the effect o f grafted maleic anhydride chains at the rubber-thermoplastic interface on the theological properties of the blend. Shear viscosity is a function of t he amount of compatibilizer and applied shear stress present in the prepara tion of the blends. A reduction in the particle size due to increasing scre w speed was correlated with a reduction in the shear viscosity and an incre ase in the impact properties of the blend. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. A ll rights reserved.