Anhydride/Epoxy Functionalized Blends: Mechanical, Rheological and Thermal Properties

Abstract

ABSTRACTBlends of styrene-maleic anhydride (SMAH) and polyethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (E-MA-GMA) were produced in a batch mixer and in a corotating twin screw extruder. E-MA-GMA concentration was varied from 0 % to 50 %. Batch mixing indicated that the blend system was reactive. Extruded blends were characterized in terms of rheological, thermal and mechanical properties, and their morphology was observed. Rheological properties such as the storage modulus, loss modulus and complex viscosity exhibited maxima at 25 % EMA-GMA content. The blends had fine morphology as observed by scanning electron microscopy. Thermal properties were not significantly affected by the change in epoxy concentration. As E-MA-GMA concentration increased, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity decreased, but percent strain at break increased. These observations could be explained in terms of the chain extension / branching reactions that occurred in mixing the blends.