Abstract
This study compared the preparation and characterization of polymer blends containing two types of polystyrene (high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS)) and thermoplastic corn starch (TPS) as a natural resource. Melt extrusion was used to create TPS/polystyrene blends. SEM, XRD, and DMTA analyses were used to determine the compatibility and mechanical properties of GPPS/TPS and HIPS/TPS blends. SEM analysis revealed that TPS particle size was significantly smaller in HIPS blends than in GPPS blends, owing to lower interfacial tension and better compatibility between HIPS and TPS. According to the DMTA results, the storage modulus of both blends increased significantly, particularly at high PS concentrations. All blends had two peaks on the loss factor curve, one for each phase's glass transition. The Tg of the PS-rich phase in blends was nearly equivalent to the Tg of pure PS. On the other hand, Tg of the TPS-rich phase was unexpectedly lower than that of pure TPS. By adding a low volume of polystyrene to TPS (approximately 20 wt%), the ultimate tensile strength of TPS was increased by more than 200%. At high polystyrene concentrations (approximately 80 wt%), the blend exhibited mechanical properties comparable to pure PS.
Published Version
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