Reactively compatibilised 80/20 PA6/ABS blends: effect of various compatibilisers on morphology, dynamic mechanical analysis, crystallisation and thermal degradation kinetics

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this paper, 80/20 polyamide 6 (PA6) and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) blends and 80/20 PA6/ABS blend with various compatibilisers, such as styrene-acrylic acid (SAA) and styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA-8 and SMA-14) have been investigated. The objectives were to understand the effect of reactive compatibilisation on morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability and mechanical properties. It was found that compatibiliser helps to refine the morphology. It further helps decrease the interparticle ligament thickness and increase interfacial area per unit volume of the dispersed phase (ABS) in the PA6 matrix. Furthermore, crystallisation, thermal stability and storage modulus were improved for blends with various compatibilisers compared to the neat combinations. The correlation of storage modulus with morphology, crystallinity and thermal stability reveals that SMA was a better compatibiliser for improving morphology, mechanical and thermal properties than SAA.