Mechanical properties and morphology of LCP/ABS blends compatibilized with a styrene–maleic anhydride copolymer

✍ Scribed by WB Xie; KC Tam; CY Yue; YC Lam; L Li; X Hu

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2003
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 545 KB
• Volume: 52
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0959-8103
• DOI: 10.1002/pi.1123

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

A co‐polyester liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) was melt blended with an acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymer (ABS). LCP fibrils are formed and a distinct skin/core morphology is observed in the injection moulded samples. At higher LCP concentration (50 wt%), phase inversion occurs, where the dispersed LCP phase becomes a co‐continuous phase. While the tensile strength and Young's modulus remain unchanged with increasing LCP content up to 30 wt% LCP, a significant enhancement of the modulus at 50 wt% LCP is observed due to the formation of co‐continuous morphology. The blend modulus is lower than the values predicted by the rule of mixtures, suggesting a poor interface between the LCP droplets and ABS matrix. A copolymer of styrene and maleic anhydride (SMA) was added in the LCP/ABS blends during melt blending. It is observed that SMA has a compatibilizing effect on the blend system and an optimum SMA content exists for mechanical properties enhancement. SMA improves the interfacial adhesion, whereas excess of SMA reduces the LCP fibrillation. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry