Interphase control in poly(styrene-block-butadiene-block-styrene) copolymer/magnesium hydroxide composites

The role of isostearic acid (ISA) and maleinised polybutadiene (MPBD) in th e interphase control of SBS/magnesium hydroxide composites was investigated . Infrared studies showed that both ISA and MPBD interact chemically with t he magnesium hydroxide. Flow microcalorimetry studies showed that model pol ymers that resemble the two phases of SBS (polybutadiene and polystyrene), were absorbed irreversibly on the surface of magnesium hydroxide. Differenc es in mechanical responses showed that filler surface modification with MPB D led to increased filler-matrix adhesion compared to the composite based o n untreated. ISA treatment of the filler led to reduced melt viscosities an d filler-matrix interaction, but resulted in higher levels of strain induce d crystallization, relative to the composites based on untreated and MPBD t reated magnesium hydroxide.