Polystyrene + Styrene-Butadiene Blends: Mechanical and Morphological Properties

Authors

  • Gonzalo MARTÍNEZ-BARRERA∗, Carmina MENCHACA, Dorota PIETKIEWICZ, Witold BROSTOW Posgrado de la Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Mexico

Keywords:

polymer blends, polystyrene, styrene-butadiene, Izod impact, scanning electron microscopy.

Abstract

Blends of 3, 5 and 10 weight % of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) embedded in a rigid polystyrene matrix were first mixed in a co-rotating twin screw extruder and then injection molded. The blends were characterized in terms of: tensile strength, flexural strength and Izod impact and morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The addition of SBRs improves impact strength but lowers tensile and flexural modulae. Homogeneous distribution of the reinforcing phase enhances the impact strength. Best results are obtained for linear SBRs.

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Published

2004-06-20

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2004)

Section

Articles

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