On the form and formation of rubber particles in impact polystyrene and their relationship to natural and synthetic materials

Abstract

Correlations are drawn between the morphological features of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), bubble assemblies, adipose tissue, pith and foams. It is concluded that their morphological forms are the same and that similar interfacial tensile forces are responsible for the HIPS morphology as for the others. The synthesis of HIPS, from a solution of rubber in styrene, is discussed in terms of a phase diagram and it is concluded that the mechanism is consistent with the generation of that characteristic morphology throughout the sample in the absence of stirring and in resticted volume elements in the presence of stirring during polymerization of the styrene. An example is quoted of the generation of the same morphology in a blend prepared by mixing immiscible solutions of a homopolymer and a copolymer.