Abstract
AbstractDSC analysis of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) samples either weathered outdoors for up to 10 years or aged at 71°C has shown that these plastics deteriorate most readily through the polybutadiene (BD) component. Oxidation of the BD in ABS leads to an increasing and broadening Tgas well as a decrease in ΔCp at Tg. The latter quantity can be used to quantitatively assay the amount of unoxidized rubber in a photo‐ or thermal‐oxidized sample. The loss of impact strength of these resins with chemical aging can be correlated with the oxidation of the polybutadiene phase. Studies of rubber content as a function of sample thickness have revealed that an embrittled layer containing oxidized BD develops at the surface of an aged, 100 mil. ABS plaque (natural) and grows to a thickness of about 10 mils after 3 years exposure to sunlight. ABS containing carbon black is effectively screened from this photo induced degradation and consequently has much better retention of its initial impact strength values. In addition, carbon black was observed to retard thermal oxidation in some ABS samples. Lastly, it appears possible to do accelerated aging studies at elevated temperatures to evaluate the relative stabilities of various ABS formulations.
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