Morphology, mechanical, and dielectric breakdown properties of PBT/PET/TPE, PBT/PET/PA66, PBT/PET/LMPE, and PBT/PET/TiO2 blends

Abstract

AbstractThe morphology and thermal behavior of tertiary blends of poly(butylene terephthalate) [PBT]/poly(ethylene terephthalate) [PET] alloy resin (Alloy)/thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), Alloy/nylon 66 (PA66), Alloy/low molecular weight polyester (LMPE), and Alloy/titanium dioxide (TiO2) have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetry (TG). In case of TPE and LMPE containing blends did not show any morphological change compared with Alloy whereas for PA66 containing blends, the size of the dispersed phase increased with the increase the PA66 contents. The crystallization peak of Alloy/TPE blends became undetectable with an increasing TPE content. In contrast, the crystallization temperature (Tc1) of Alloy/PA66, Alloy/LMPE, Alloy/TiO2 blends increased significantly as the PA66, LMPE, and TiO2 content increases. TG traces show a significant shift of the weight loss towards higher temperature for Alloy/TiO2 blend whereas Alloy/TPE, Alloy/PA66 and Alloy/LMPE blends slightly decreases in thermal stability than Alloy. To investigate the applicability for insulation material, the prepared blend samples were extruded an electric wire and the breakdown voltage (BDV) of wires was investigated. The melt flow rate of Alloy increased as the amount of TPE increased, and a contrary trend was found when the increase of the amount of TiO2. The dielectric breakdown test applies a voltage that is greater than the product's rated operating voltage for a specific period of time during which dielectric breakdown must not occur. The BDV of Alloy/TPE and Alloy/PA66 blends is higher than other blends before and after thermal aging 225°C for 30 min. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers