Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Blends Research Articles

Structural and nonlinear J-integral fracture toughness for nanoclay toughened ternary HDPE/LDPE-g-MA/ABS blend nanocomposites

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) has a higher strength-to-density ratio and stiffness but a low branching degree for the packed linear chains that restrict the ability to bond and resist cracking. This study conducts the role of inserting rigid nanoclay (NC) and soft acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) on the structural, nonlinear fracture toughness and crack resistance of a ternary HDPE/low-density polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydrite (LDPE-g-MA)/ABS blend. Varying additions of 1, 3, 5, and 7 % NC and 5, 10, 15 wt. % ABS were inserted into neat HDPE and HDPE90/LDPE-g-MA10. All materials were hand-mixed before feeding into a single screw extruder and directly melt-blended twice to achieve a good dispersion of nanofiller in the matrix. The structural characteristics and the fracture surfaces of NC/HDPE/LDPE-g-MA and NC/HDPE/LDPE-g-MA/ABS were investigated by TEM, XRD, SEM, and FTIR spectra. Tensile strength and the critical dissipated energy (JIc) determined by quasi-static J-integral fracture mechanic revealed a higher absorbing fracture energy of 75 KJ/m2 for the binary and 85 KJ/m2 for the ternary nanocomposites. The synergistic percolated role of the NC particles and ABS copolymer in front of the crack tip region hinders crack growth for the presence of micro-void coalescence and massive shear-yielding toughening mechanisms.

Molecular transport of aromatic hydrocarbons through ethyl cellulose – Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blends

The evaluation of transport characteristics of membranes is crucial for understanding and controlling their separation properties and function in the dehydration process. In this study, the hydrophilic ethyl cellulose (EC) is modified by blending it with moderately hydrophobic acrylonitrile–butadienestyrene (ABS) copolymer to obtain desired flux and selectivity. The blend thin films (ABC) were prepared by solvent casting method and the non-porous (dense) nature of the ABC films were revealed from the FESEM analysis. The FTIR analysis confirms the blend formation. The surface wettability of the films was determined by water contact angle studies. The contact angle values were maximum for pure ABS films and minimum for pure EC films. As evident from TGA, blends prepared were thermally stable upto 300℃. UV–Visible spectroscopic data confirms the absorbance of UV radiation and transmittance of visible light through the pristine and blend films. The transport behavior of the ABC thin films was studied using three hydrocarbons viz. benzene, toluene and xylene. The effect of penetrant size and temperature on permeation were analysed in detail.

Influences of TPU Content on the Weld Line Characteristics of PP and ABS Blends.

This study aims to explore the effects of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) content on the weld line properties of Polypropylene (PP) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) blends. In PP/TPU blends, increasing the TPU content results in a significant decrease in the PP/TPU composite's ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation values. Blends with 10 wt%, 15 wt%, and 20 wt% TPU and pure PP outperform blends with 10 wt%, 15 wt%, and 20 wt% TPU and recycled PP in terms of UTS value. The blend with 10 wt% TPU and pure PP achieves the highest UTS value of 21.85 MPa. However, the blend's elongation decreases due to the poor bonding in the weld line area. According to Taguchi's analysis, the TPU factor has a more significant overall influence on the mechanical properties of PP/TPU blends than the recycled PP factor. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results show that the TPU area has a dimple shape on the fracture surface due to its significantly higher elongation value. The 15 wt% TPU sample achieves the highest UTS value of 35.7 MPa in ABS/TPU blends, which is considerably higher than other cases, indicating good compatibility between ABS and TPU. The sample containing 20 wt% TPU has the lowest UTS value of 21.2 MPa. Furthermore, the elongation-changing pattern corresponds to the UTS value. Interestingly, SEM results present that the fracture surface of this blend is flatter than the PP/TPU blend due to a higher compatibility rate. The 30 wt% TPU sample has a higher rate of dimple area than the 10 wt% TPU sample. Moreover, ABS/TPU blends gain a higher UTS value than PP/TPU blends. Increasing the TPU ratio mainly reduces the elastic modulus of both ABS/TPU blends and PP/TPU blends. This study reveals the advantages and disadvantages of mixing TPU with PP or ABS to ensure that it meets the requirements of the intended applications.

Effects of In-Process Temperatures and Blending Polymers on Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Blends

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a renowned commodity polymer for additive manufacturing, particularly fused deposition modelling (FDM). The recent large-scale applications of 3D-printed ABS require stable mechanical properties than ever needed. However, thermochemical scission of butadiene bonds is one of the contemporary challenges affecting the overall ABS stability. In this regard, literature reports melt-blending of ABS with different polymers with high thermal resistance. However, the comparison for the effects of different polymers on tensile strength of 3D-printed ABS blends was not yet reported. Furthermore, the cumulative studies comprising both blended polymers and in-process thermal variables for FDM were not yet presented as well. This research, for the first time, presents the statistical comparison of tensile properties for the added polymers and in-process thermal variables (printing temperature and build surface temperature). The research presents Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to explain the thermochemical reasons behind achieved mechanical properties. Overall, ABS blend with PP shows high tensile strength (≈31 MPa) at different combinations of in-process parameters. Furthermore, some commonalities among both blends are noted, i.e., the tensile strength improves with increase of surface (bed) and printing temperature.

Migration induced localization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in PP phase of PP/ABS blend and their hybrid composites: Influence on mechanical and thermal properties

Carbon black (CB) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) reinforced 80/20 (wt/wt) polypropylene (PP)/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) blends and its composites in presence of dual compatibilizer are processed using twin screw extruder followed by injection moulding. The two-step processing is adopted to disperse the MWNTs and CB in 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/ ABS blends in presence of dual compatibilizer. Initially, MWNTs are dispersed with ABS using melt-mixing followed by addition in PP matrix in presence of CB and dual compatibilizer using melt-mixing. A solution experiments is performed to selectively etch the PP and ABS phase respectively show the migration of MWNTs in the PP phase; and CB is localized in the PP phase. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation revel the formation of matrix-droplet morphology for MWNTs and CB in 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/ ABS blends and its composites in presence of dual compatibilizer. The average droplet diameter (Dd) measured using SEM images shows decrease in Dd values with the incorporation of MWNTs and CB in 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/ ABS blends and its composites in presence of dual compatibilizer along with calculated interparticle distance (ID) as compared to pure blend. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies shows the percent crystallinity (Xc) and lamellae thickness of MWNTs and CB filled 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/ ABS blends and its composites in presence of dual compatibilizer increases as compared to pure blend. The tensile properties increases significantly for MWNTs and CB filled 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/ABS blends and its hybrid composites in presence of dual compatibilizer due to the refined morphology and increase in crystallinity. In addition, the thermal stability is enhanced significantly for the selectively localized MWNTs and CB in PP phase of 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/ABS blends and its composites in the presence of dual compatibilizer as compared to pure blend established using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The composition of 2.5 wt% of CB filled 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/ABS blends and its composites in presence of dual compatibilizer and MWNTs is the optimized concentration to achieve the highest enhancement in tensile properties, crystallinity, morphology refinement and thermal stability.

Tribological response of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blends containing fixed amounts of Kevlar fibre and molybdenum disulphide with varying quantities of betel nut powder

In this study, the composites with incorporation betel nut powder at three levels (10, 18 and 25%) in Polycarbonate (PC) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) matrices having Kevlar Fibres (KF) and Molybdenum Disulphide (MoS2) nano particles in fixed amounts are looked into for their tribological characteristics. The effect of hardness, surface roughness and density was evaluated. FTIR and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies have been carried out to identify the phases. The effects of load on the slide wear loss and coefficient of friction of the composites were determined using Pin on Disc set up. The wear test pertaining to the betel nut bearing (BNP) composites were compared with those of betel nut free ones i.e. PC/ABS/KF/MoS2. The results revealed that with increase in load, the wear loss increases. Further with increase in betel nut powder concentration from 10% to 25% there is a decrease in wear loss as well as coefficient of friction. The surface morphology of the worn surface were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) which revealed higher plastic deformation, debris formation and furrowing in BNP free systems compared to betel nut bearing ones.

The impact of polymer matrix blends on thermal and mechanical properties of boron nitride composites

ABSTRACTTo improve mechanical and thermal properties of a hexagonal boron nitride platelet filled polymer composites, maleic anhydride was studied as a coupling agent and compatibilizer. Injection molded blends of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), and maleic anhydride with boron nitride filler were tested for thermal conductivity and impact strength to determine whether adding maleic anhydride improved interfacial interactions between matrix and filler and between the polymers. Adding both HDPE and maleic anhydride to ABS as the matrix of the composite resulted in a 40% improvement in impact strength without a decrease in thermal conductivity when compared to an ABS matrix. The best combination of thermal conductivity and impact strength was using pure HDPE as the matrix material. The effective medium theory model is used to help explain how strong filler alignment helps achieve high thermal conductivity, greater than 5 W/m K for 60 wt % boron nitride. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 137, 48661.

Effects of thermoplastic elastomer on the morphology and mechanical properties of glass fiber‐reinforced polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene

This article investigated the influence of thermoplastic elastomer like acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) high rubber powder (HRP), and ethylene methylacrylate (EMA) on the mechanical performances, flow ability, and morphology of glass fiber‐reinforced polycarbonate (PC)/ABS blends. Blending was carried out through a twin‐screw extruder, and all testing specimens were shaped by an injection molding machine. Experimental results showed that the toughening effect of EMA was more obvious than HRP due to fracture mechanism like crazing, shear yielding occurred in corporation with EMA. About 15 wt% glass‐fiber (GF) reinforcement and 6 wt% EMA toughening can get a balanced behavior among strength, stiffness, and toughness for superior performance of the polymer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E144–E151, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers

Unique synergism in flame retardancy in ABS based composites through blending PVDF and halloysite nanotubes

This study demonstrates flame retardant materials designed using bi-phasic polymer blends of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) containing halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and Cloisite 30B nanoclay. The prepared blends with and without nanoparticles were extensively characterized. The nanoparticles were added in different weight concentrations to improve the flame retardancy. It was observed that prepared ABS/PVDF blends showed better flame retardancy than ABS based composites. The flame resistance was further improved by the addition of nanoparticles in the blends. The microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) test showed better flame resistance in ABS/PVDF blends filled with 5 wt% HNTs than other composites. The total heat release of ABS/PVDF blend filled with 5 wt% HNTs decreased by 31% and also the heat of combustion decreased by 26% as compared to neat ABS. When compared with nanoparticles, the addition of PVDF reduced the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and increased the char residue more effectively. A synergistic improvement was observed from both PVDF and HNTs on the flame resistance properties.

Selective separation of ABS/PC containing BFRs from ABSs mixture of WEEE by developing hydrophilicity with ZnO coating under microwave treatment

This study reports a simple and facile method to separate plastic wastes of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and ABS-based plastics (blends of ABS) in waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) by froth flotation after inducing hydrophilization by ZnO coating under microwave treatment. ABS-based plastics containing brominated flame retardants (BFRs) can release hazardous substances, such as hydrogen bromide and brominated dioxins, during disposal or recycling activities. ABS and ABS-based plastics are typical styrene plastics with similar properties and it is, therefore, difficult to separate them selectively for recycling. We used 2-min microwave treatment to rearrange and change the molecular mobility on the surface of the ZnO-coated ABS with increased hydrophilic surfaces, which eased the selective separation of the ABS/polycarbonate (PC) blend containing BFRs from the remaining plastics. Therefore, the combined ZnO coating and microwave treatments can facilitate the selective separation of ABS/PC blend plastics with a recovery and purity of 100% and 91.7%, respectively, in a short flotation time of 2min. Based on these findings, the combination of ZnO coating-microwave treatment and froth flotation can be applied for the selective separation of ABS-based plastics, leading to improved plastic recycling quality.

Assessing the use of binary blends of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and post-consumer high density polyethylene in fused filament fabrication

Several experiments were conducted to assess the suitability of binary blends of recycled high-density polyethylene and virgin acrylonitrile butadiene styrene for use in fused filament fabrication. Binary blends of the two plastics were extruded into feedstock for a 3D printer in varying proportions. Filament extrusion consistency, dimensional accuracy of 3D printed benchmarking objects, and tensile strength were each assessed. When compared against commercial acrylonitrile butadiene styrene filament, binary blends of recycled high-density polyethylene and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene were found to have inferior filament extrusion consistency and tensile strength. They also produced less accurate benchmarking objects. Despite this, binary blends were shown to produce objects with dimensional accuracy and tensile strength that would render them suitable for many applications.

Assessing the use of binary blends of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and post-consumer high density polyethylene in fused filament fabrication

Several experiments were conducted to assess the suitability of binary blends of recycled high-density polyethylene and virgin acrylonitrile butadiene styrene for use in fused filament fabrication. Binary blends of the two plastics were extruded into feedstock for a 3D printer in varying proportions. Filament extrusion consistency, dimensional accuracy of 3D printed benchmarking objects, and tensile strength were each assessed. When compared against commercial acrylonitrile butadiene styrene filament, binary blends of recycled high-density polyethylene and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene were found to have inferior filament extrusion consistency and tensile strength. They also produced less accurate benchmarking objects. Despite this, binary blends were shown to produce objects with dimensional accuracy and tensile strength that would render them suitable for many applications.

Novel ABS-based binary and ternary polymer blends for material extrusion 3D printing

Abstract

Enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of polyacrylonitrile through blending with tea polyphenol

ABSTRACTSeveral polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/tea polyphenol (TP) blends were prepared with various mixing weight ratios (percentage). With a commercial acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) as reference, the results show that the PAN/TP blends with 12.5 wt % TP had a better antiwear ability and similar hardness to those of ABS. All of the prepared PAN/TP blends showed a lower impact strength than the referenced ABS. However, some values were indeed higher than those reported for engineering materials in the literature, for example, polystyrenes and some ABS blends. Differential scanning calorimetry, differential thermogravimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that the PAN/TP blends had enhanced the thermal stability compared to the pure PAN. Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis suggested that the H bonds increased in the PAN/TP blends. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40411.

Properties of waste‐poly(ethylene terephthalate)/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blends compatibilized with maleated acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

AbstractWaste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (W‐PET)/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) blends were prepared with a variety of compositions at several rotor speeds in an internal mixer, replacing ABS with different maleated ABS (ABS‐g‐MA) samples in compatibilized blends. A Box–Behnken model for three variables, with three levels, was chosen for the experimental design. ABS‐g‐MA‐based samples exhibited finer particles with a more uniform particle size distribution than ABS‐based ones, as a consequence of the compatibilizing process. Rheological results implied a greater elastic nature for compatibilized blends which increased in the presence of more ABS content; the same trend was observed for complex viscosity. With increasing ABS‐g‐MA or MA concentration, more shear thinning behavior was observed similar to that of ABS; whereas the uncompatibilized blends showed Newtonian behavior like that of W‐PET. The observed shifting in TgW‐PET and TgABS obtained from dynamic mechanical thermal analysis confirmed the good compatibility in W‐PET/ABS‐g‐MA blends in contrast with that in ordinary W‐PET/ABS blends. The mechanical properties were measured and modeled versus the various factors considered in a response surface methodology. The experimental data found a good fit with the obtained equation models. The mechanical properties of the compatibilized blends showed a large positive deviation from the mixing rule, while the uncompatibilized samples had lower properties, even compared to those predicted by the mixing rule. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers

Observations of physical aging in a polycarbonate and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene blend

AbstractThe effects of physical aging of a 75 : 25 PC/ABS blend have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). From DSC, two distinct peak endotherms at about 90°C and 110°C, which are associated with the glass transition of ABS (Tg,ABS) and PC (Tg,PC) components, respectively, were observed. When progressive aging was monitored at 80°C for over 1000 h, the changes in enthalpic relaxation, glass and fictive temperatures for the blend followed similar trends to those already seen in the literature for PC aged between 125 and 130°C. The rate of enthalpy relaxation was also comparable. The plot of peak endotherm against logarithmic aging time for the PC blend constituent, however, behaved quite differently from the linear relationship known for highly aged PC. The ABS peak component also appeared to be insensitive to aging. Both observations were confirmed to be statistically significant using analysis of variance methods. Using temperature modulated‐DSC, there is evidence that aging increases the blend miscibility as the Tg,PC shifts toward the stationary Tg,ABS during aging. Parallel FTIR investigations found oxidation of butadiene during aging to be even at this relatively low temperature, forming hydroxyl and carbonyl degradation products. The presence of ABS in the blend also appeared to have prevented the shifting from the trans‐cis to trans‐trans arrangement of the carbonate linkage, which is a well‐known phenomenon during elevated temperature aging of PC alone. Moreover, the carbonate linkage appears to have been at the lower energy, trans‐trans, arrangement prior to the aging process. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008

Mechanical, thermal, and morphological behavior of the polyamide 6/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene blends irradiated with gamma rays

AbstractPolymeric materials with improved properties can be obtained through polymer blends. As a polymer mixture is generally immiscible and incompatible, it is necessary to use compatibilizers to improve the interfacial adhesion. Polyamide 6 (PA‐6) is an attractive polymer to engineering applications; however, it reveals processing instability and relatively low‐notched impact strength. This behavior can be modified by blending with acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) copolymer. In this study, blends of PA‐6 with ABS were prepared using gamma irradiation, and the effects of ABS and ionizing radiation on the properties of PA‐6/ABS blends were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The data showed that the presence of ABS (30 wt%) in the blend decreased the tensile strength and elongation at break with respect to pure PA‐6. The decrease in the mechanical property was observed at doses 30 and 50 kGy. ABS showed strong effect on the crystallization of PA‐6 in the PA‐6/ABS binary blends. All irradiated blends are thermally more stable than those non‐irradiated. Chemical changes can be clearly seen in FTIR spectra through two bands assigned for NH and OH groups. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers

THE EFFECT OF BLENDING SEQUENCE ON PHASE MORPHOLOGY OF NYLON 6/ABS/SMA BLENDS

The preparation process-dependent phase morphology of blends composed of nylon 6 and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) over a composition range of 30-70 wt% using a styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer as the compatibilizing agent with a constant content (5phr) was investigated. The results of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation revealed that compared with the binary blends of nylon 6 and ABS, the existence of SMA caused a composition shift of phase inversion to a higher weight fraction of nylon 6 when ABS was blended with the preblended nylon 6/SMA blend, while the co-continuous structures could be observed over a considerably narrower composition range when nylon 6 was blended with the pre-blended ABS/SMA blend. An examination through dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests confirmed the results obtained with SEM. It is found that near the phase inversion region a remarkable change in the dynamic storage modulus (G′) and the loss tangent (tanδ) appears. Moreover, the influence of blending sequence on the size of dispersed particles has been probed for uncompatibilized and compatibilized blends of nylon 6 and ABS over a wide range of compositions below or beyond the phase inversion points. For the blends of ABS dispersed in a nylon 6 matrix, little discernible effects of blending sequence on particle size could be observed. Furthermore, there exists a significant difference in morphologies of the blends prepared by nylon 6 particles dispersing in a ABS matrix in cases of different blending sequences used. Some possible factors responsible for the above asymmetric behaviors have been proposed.

Miscibility and compatibilization of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene blends

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (PTT/ABS) blends were prepared by melt processing with and without epoxy or styrene–butadiene–maleic anhydride copolymer (SBM) as a reactive compatibilizer. The miscibility and compatibilization of the PTT/ABS blends were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), capillary rheometer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The existence of two separate composition-dependent glass transition temperatures ( T gs) indicates that PTT is partially miscible with ABS over the entire composition range. In the presence of the compatibilizer, both the cold crystallization and glass transition temperatures of the PTT phase shifted to higher temperatures, indicating their compatibilization effects on the blends. The PTT/ABS blends exhibited typical pseudoplastic flow behavior. The rheological behavior of the epoxy compatibilized PTT/ABS blends showed an epoxy content-dependence. In contrast, when the SBM content was increased from 1 wt% to 5 wt%, the shear viscosities of the PTT/ABS blends increased and exhibited much clearer shear thinning behavior at higher shear rates. The SEM micrographs of the epoxy or SBM compatibilized PTT/ABS blends showed a finer morphology and better adhesion between the phases.

Composites of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Filled with Wood-Flour

This study examined both the use of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) as a plastic matrix for wood-plastic composites (WPCs) and the effect of impact modification on the mechanical properties of ABS/wood-flour composites. Blends of ABS filled with wood flour (both pine and maple) were processed into profile shape using a conical twin-screw extruder and the mechanical properties of the resulting composites were characterised and compared to WPCs made with polyolefins (HDPE and PP) and rigid PVC matrices. Generally, WPCs made with ABS matrix outperformed their polyolefin counterparts in both flexural strength and modulus, whereas ABS-based composites had inferior strength but greater modulus than those made with rigid PVC. The impact strength of ABS/wood-flour composites was below that of wood plastic composites made with polyolefins. However, impact modification with acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymers had some effect in toughening of the ABS/wood-flour composites.