Effect of Compatibilizers on Impact Strength in Polycarbonate-Rich Blends With Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene

Abstract

Polycarbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) blends with no compatibilizers have been manufactured commercially and widely used for many applications for many years. Although most studies have shown that compatibilizers can improve the product performance of PC/ABS alloys, there are still different scholars who have demonstrated that compatibilizers do not have the expected effect. This study investigated the effects of various types of compatibilizers on properties such as the impact strength of PC/ABS alloys. To make rubber particles better mixed and achieve fine dispersion, a closed torque rheometer was used to make PC/ABS alloys. To avoid the influence of flow orientation on rubber particle dispersion during injection molding, test specimens were prepared using the mold pressing method. PC-rich alloys with no compatibilizer show the best performance in all trial samples. Maleic anhydride grafted ABS (ABS-g-MAH), synthesized by emulsion polymerization, could not enhance properties significantly as a compatibilizer. Methyl methacrylate–butadiene–styrene (MBS), which has the same rubber content as ABS powder, could not improve performance either. Sufficient rubbers well-dispersed in styrene/acrylonitrile (SAN) and PC content are key factors in influencing the performance in PC-rich blends.