Abstract
The roles of the rubber particle size, the rubber particle size distribution and the constitutive behaviour of the isotactic polypropylene matrix have been studied by combining the Lazerri–Bucknall energy criterion for cavitation with the Van der Sanden–Meier–Tervoort ligament model adapted for impact conditions. It is concluded that an optimised morphology offers great potential to achieve enhanced mechanical properties with far less rubber and hence achieve a superior stiffness/toughness/processing balance.
Highlights
The toughening of polymers by blending in a rubber phase to improve their impact resistance for application in for example car bumpers is necessary to improve energy absorption and to avoid hazardous brittle fracture
The brittle/ductile transition of polymers is generally described by the Ludwik–Davidenkov–Orowan criterion [1] that states that a material fails in a ductile way as soon as the yield stress drops below the fracture stress
Izod tests at a range of temperatures in order to determine the brittle ductile transition were performed with a Zwick Type 5110 impact tester according to ASTM D256
Summary
The toughening of polymers by blending in a rubber phase to improve their impact resistance for application in for example car bumpers is necessary to improve energy absorption and to avoid hazardous brittle fracture. The brittle/ductile transition of polymers is generally described by the Ludwik–Davidenkov–Orowan criterion [1] that states that a material fails in a ductile way as soon as the yield stress drops below the fracture stress. This is achieved by reducing the yield stress by blending in a low modulus rubber phase, that cavitates or delaminating hard particles, or voids [2]. In the present paper we aim at combining an existing model that describe the role of particle size combined with a model that describes the role of the critical interparticle ligament thickness [3]
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