Study on the effect of processing conditions on the impact strength of PP/SEBS/PC ternary blends using Taguchi experimental analysis

Abstract

Abstract In this study, nine ternary blends of polypropylene (PP)/poly [styrene-b-(ethylene-co butylene)-b-styrene] tri-block copolymer (SEBS)/polycarbonate (PC) were produced at different processing conditions through twin screw extruder. Accordingly, die temperature, screw speed, and blending sequences were altered based on L9 Taguchi experimental design as indications of processing variables. Consequently, the impact strength of each produced sample is considered as the responding variable. Analyzing two important aspects, namely main and interactive effects by using Taguchi analysis, was the especial point of view in our contribution; as a result, not only was the PP/SEBS/PC ternary system studied for the first time, but the SEBS-g-MAH compatibilizer also showed sufficient effects on morphology development. It was observed that the impact strength of PP/SEBS/PC ternary blends is not affected by die temperature significantly, whereas screw speed and blending sequence have had effective impacts. Besides, the optimum processing condition, which is proportional to the highest value of impact strength, is recommended through the mentioned ternary blends. These results are also confirmed while applying image analysis on morphology micrographs.