Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Terpolymer Research Articles

Repurposing ABS to Produce Polyamide 6 (PA6)-Based Blends: Reactive Compatibilization with SAN-g-MA of a High Degree of Functionalization

In this study, recycled acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABSr) was reused to produce polyamide 6 (PA6)-based blends. This was achieved through reactive compatibilization using styrene-acrylonitrile-maleic anhydride (SAN-g-MA) copolymer with a high degree of functionalization (6–10% MA). The PA6/ABSr and PA6/ABSr/SAN-g-MA blends were prepared through melt processing and injection molding and then analyzed for their rheological, mechanical, thermomechanical, thermal, and structural properties, as well as morphology. The torque rheometry revealed a maximum reactivity of the PA6/ABSr (70/30 wt%) blend with low SAN-g-MA (5 phr—parts per hundred resin) content, while above this threshold, torque began to decline, indicating compatibilizer saturation in the interface. These findings were further substantiated by the increase in complex viscosity and the lower melt flow index (MFI) of the PA6/ABSr/SAN-g-MA (5 phr) blend. The 5 phr SAN-g-MA reactive compatibilization of the PA6/ABSr blends significantly enhanced its impact strength, elongation at break, tensile strength, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) by 217%, 631%, 12.6%, and 9.5%, respectively, compared to PA6/ABSr. These findings are promising for the plastic recycling field, paving the way for the production of new tailor-made materials at a reduced price.

Analysis of emission of volatile organic compounds and thermal degradation in investment casting using fused deposition modeling (FDM) and three-dimensional printing (3DP) made of various thermoplastic polymers.

The study examined the degradation process of various types of polymers used to form models using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) and three-dimensional printing (3DP) methods and used in the investment casting method. Commercial filaments made of polylactide (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene terpolymer (ABS), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polyamide 12 (PA12), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and polypropylene (PP) were used to produce gypsum molds. The assessment included organic volatile compounds (VOCs) released during mold heating and model degradation, which is characteristic of this technological process. The screening qualitative chromatographic analysis of decomposition products sampled from various points of the production hall made it possible to define potential threats related to the processing of selected polymers and the necessary preventive measures. Furthermore, passive diffusion-type samplers were used at the sampling stage of VOCs emitted to the gaseous phase to reduce nuisance and user interference. Studies have been completed to characterize the thermoplastic polymer degradation process. The coupled thermogravimetry (TGA) with analysis of gaseous products by infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transformation (FT-IR) has been used. The presented results are the first to compare and rate the use of this still-developing novel aspect of castings by the method of fused models.

Acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) salami structure inspired PLLA composites with excellent stiffness-toughness balance

The stiffness-toughness balance of polymeric materials poses great challenges. Acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer (ABS) exhibits excellent mechanical and processing properties due to its unique “salami” morphologies. Inspired by this, we proposed a three-step reactive processing strategy to design high performance polylactide (PLLA) composites with the similar “sub-inclusion” microstructure. The reactive micro-crosslinked elastomer with bifunctional groups (RMCE) was first prepared by the blending of γ-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (KH550) with the random copolymer of ethylene-acrylic ester-glycidyl methacrylate (EGMA). The following mixing of the minor PLLA with the RMCE leads to the double-ended fixing of polylactide molecular chain in the RMCE. The PLLA included reactive micro-crosslinked elastomers (IRCE) were then used to toughen PLLA, inducing the formation of PLLA alloys with the unique sub-inclusion morphology. Surprisingly, magnificent stiffness-toughness balance can be achieved for the obtained PLLA composites. This work opens up a new strategy for preparing high-performance polyester composites with excellent stiffness-toughness balance.

Ablation of selected thermoplastic polymers using an Nd:YAG laser

This article presents the results of a study on laser ablation of selected thermoplastic polymers using an economical fiber laser with a scanning galvanometer system and an IR laser with a wavelength of λ = 1064 nm. The study aimed to develop comparative characteristics of the ablation processes of commonly used constructional thermoplastics, namely acrylonitrile butadiene styrene terpolymer (ABS), polystyrene (PS), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polylactide (PLA), and polyamide 6 (PA6). The ablation characteristics of the tested materials were determined, and the ablation depth and surface structures were calculated and presented. A comparative analysis of the contact angle, surface free energy, and strength of adhesive connections of materials modified with laser radiation and unmodified was performed. The study showed that the dynamics of laser ablation were much higher in ABS, PS, PET, and PC than in PLA and PA6. Although modification of the surface layer of the polymeric material did not have a significant impact on the surface free energy and wettability of the sample surface, it increased the strength of adhesive connections even several times (in ABS, PS, PET) with the lowest energy consumption. The results also demonstrated that some polymers, such as ABS or PS, can be effectively treated with near-infrared laser radiation of this wavelength, which is particularly important for surface layer modification and marking of details.

The Natural Moisture of ABS Filament and Its Influence on the Quality of FFF Products.

The article presents the results of research on the influence of the natural moisture of a filament made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABS) on the mechanical properties and quality of products fabricated with fused filament fabrication (FFF). The concept of the natural moisture of the filament was defined, and the range of its variability was identified in reference to the range of the natural ambient humidity. It is shown that a change in the ambient humidity by 10% resulted in a change in filament moisture by about 0.05%. The results of the research on the moisture variability of an ABS filament stored in a package, an airtight container, or a container with a moisture absorber are also discussed. The last part of the article presents the results of the research on the impact of the moisture of the filament in its natural range of variability on select mechanical properties of filaments and products made using FFT. It is shown that this impact was significant and had a value of 1 MPa on 0.1% filament moisture.

Evaluation of flammability, thermal stability and mechanical behavior of expandable graphite-reinforced acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) terpolymer was loaded with expandable graphite (EG) at four different concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% using micro-compounder followed by injection molding process. Mechanical, thermomechanical, thermal, flame retardancy, melt flow and morphological characterizations of composites were done by tensile, hardness and impact tests, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), melt flow index (MFI) test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. According to test results, tensile strength and storage modulus of ABS were improved with the increase in EG content. Storage modulus and glass transition temperature of ABS yielded enhancement with the inclusion of EG. However, percent elongation and impact strength values showed decreasing trend with EG additions. ABS/EG composites gave higher fire performance relative to ABS including enhancement in LOI and reduction in heat release rate. MFI test revealed that incorporation of EG with the lowest amount displayed no dramatic change for MFI value of neat ABS. EG flakes exhibited well-dispersion and exfoliated structure for all of the filling ratios as the SEM microimages of composites were examined. 15% and 20% EG containing ABS composites were remarked as the most suitable candidates among prepared composites.

Development of barite-filled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene composites: Mechanical, thermal, melt-flow and morphological characterizations

Barite mineral (BRT) was compounded with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene terpolymer (ABS) with four varied filling ratio of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by weight. ABS/BRT composites and unfilled ABS were fabricated by twin screw micro-extruder and test samples were shaped using injection molding process. Tensile tests, shore hardness measurements and impact tests, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), melt-flow index (MFI) study and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization techniques were performed in order to investigate mechanical, thermo-mechanical, melt-flow and morphological performance of composites, respectively. Mechanical tests results showed that tensile strength and hardness of unfilled ABS were enhanced as BRT content increased. DMA study revealed that in addition to glass transition temperature, storage modulus of ABS raised by BRT inclusions. However, impact energy of ABS exhibited decreasing trend with the loading level of BRT. According to MFI measurements, BRT additions caused no significant change for MFI parameter of ABS regardless of concentration. It was confirmed by SEM microphotographs that the dispersion of BRT particles was found to be more homogeneous into ABS phase for their lower contents. The filling ratio of 10% BRT yield the highest performance among fabricated ABS based composites according to test results.

Effect of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer on the foaming behavior of polypropylene

To improve the cellular foam structure of common polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer (ABS) and compatibilizer were used to blend with PP, and the foaming behavior of PP/ABS blends was investigated. The solid and foamed samples of the PP/ABS blend with different component were first fabricated by melt extrusion followed by conventional injection molding with or without a blowing agent. The mechanical properties, thermal features, and rheological characterizations of these samples were studied using the tensile test, dynamic mechanical analyzer, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and torque rheometry. The results suggest that ABS is a suitable candidate to improve the foamability of PP. The effect of ABS and compatibilizer on the foamability of PP can be attributed to three possible mechanisms, that is, the weak interaction between phases that facilitates cell nucleation, the improved gas-melt viscosity that prevents the escape of gas, and the influence of crystallization behavior that helps to form a fine foaming structure.

Effect of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene/polyethylene terephthalate blends on dimensional stability, morphological, physical and mechanical properties and after aging at elevated temperature

A melt blending method was used to prepare acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer and polyethylene terephthalate blends to develop a new blend which can withstand higher temperatures required especially for automotive or home appliance paint curing processes. Blends were characterized by rheological, thermal and mechanical properties. Dimensional stability at 125°C was used to correlate with injection molded part shrinkage. The melt viscosity–composition curves for acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene/polyethylene terephthalate blends exhibited a trend like the rule of mixtures in which adding acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene to polyethylene terephthalate improved the processability. Scanning electron microscopy examination revealed different morphologies depending on the composition such as dispersed, co-continuous and phase inverted, which indicated that the binary blends were immiscible and form a two-phase structure. Tensile properties increased with an increase in the polyethylene terephthalate content while the unnotched impact strength reached a maximum at 40 wt.% acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene content. In differential scanning calorimetry analysis, no partial miscibility was observed from the polyethylene terephthalate phase melting temperature shifts as compared to those of the neat component. Also, acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene phases acted as nucleating agents due to change in polyethylene terephthalate cold crystallization temperature. In applied post shrinkage measurements by heat aging, we saw that the acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene dimensional stability was improved with added polyethylene terephthalate.

Evaluation of the quality of postconsumer plastics obtained from disassembly‐based recycling strategies

The focus of the presented research is on the mechanical recycling of postconsumer plastics from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Currently only a limited number of these plastics are mechanically recycled on an industrial scale while the majority is thermally treated for energy recovery. Since there is a significant potential for value recovery and to lower the environmental impact of plastics, the aim of this research is to develop new mechanical recycling processes based on the disassembly of plastic components and the sorting of these plastics based on identification by spectroscopic methods. This study will present this distinct recycling process based on a case study of the recycling of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene terpolymer (ABS) from Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) TVs. The quality of the recyclates is evaluated by mechanical testing and injection molding of thin‐walled products. Results showed that with direct reapplication of the obtained ABS without compounding, high mechanical properties could be achieved when compared to postshredder recycled ABS. However, remaining impurities in the polymer matrix limit the applicability of the recycled plastics to components without neither structurally critical nor aesthetical requirements. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:485–492, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

Melt linear viscoelastic rheological analysis to assess the microstructure of polyamide 6–acrylonitrile butadiene styrene terpolymer immiscible blends via the application of fractional Zener and Coran models

ABSTRACTIn this study, the melt linear viscoelastic rheological properties of polyamide 6 (PA6)–acrylonitrile butadiene styrene terpolymer (ABS) immiscible blends were analyzed with the help of Coran and fractional Zener models (FZMs) to assess the microstructure of the blends. For this purpose, dynamic shear flow experiments and scanning electron microscopy investigations were performed. The nonzero value of the elastic modulus of the spring element (Ge) of the FZM for ABS‐rich blends was explained by the formation of a networklike structure because of the agglomeration of the rubber phases of the ABS matrix, whereas for the PA6‐rich blends with a high content of ABS, the interactions and/or interconnectivity of the ABS dispersed phase led to a nonzero value of Ge. The value of the fitting parameter of the Coran model (f) was near to 0.5 for the 50/50 blend; this was fully in agreement with the formed cocontinuous morphology for this blend composition. On the other hand, the f value for the blends with a matrix–droplet‐type morphology was near to zero for the PA6‐rich blends; this indicated the lower continuity of the ABS dispersed phase as a harder phase compared to the PA6 soft matrix, whereas the f value was near to 1 for ABS‐rich blends. This confirmed the formation of an interconnected networklike structure for this series of blends. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45423.

Synthesis of poly(diethylenetriamine terephthalamide) and its application as a flame retardant for ABS

A novel aliphatic–aromatic polyamide poly(diethylenetriamine terephthalamide) (PDTA) was synthesized by using terephthaloyl chloride (TPC) and diethylenetriamine (DETA). A ammonium polyphosphate (APP)/PDTA mixture was prepared for use as an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) for acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer (ABS). The structure of PDTA was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 1H NMR. The thermal properties and thermal decomposition model were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The flame-retardant effect, thermal degradation behavior, and mechanism of IFR–ABS were investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL-94), microscale combustion calorimetry test (MCC), TG, FTIR, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that PDTA was synthesized as expected and was stable below 200 °C. The results also showed that when the loadings of ABS, APP, and PDTA were 70, 22.5, and 7.5 %, respectively, the LOI value reached 31 % and the UL-94 vertical burning test was V-0. What is more, even when the addition of IFR was decreased to 25 %, the LOI value of the ABS/APP/PDTA (75/18.75/6.25) system was 28 %, indicating compounding APP and PDTA could improve the flame-retardant performance of ABS. The FTIR indicated there was a chemical reaction between APP and PDTA to form a heat-resistant triazine ring, and SEM indicated the ABS/APP/PDTA systems had a denser char structure than that of pure ABS.

Recycle of plastic residues in cellular phones through catalytic hydrocracking to liquid fuels

Plastics from cellular phones, an important contribution to electronic waste, have been studied for catalytic recycling to liquid fuels through hydrocracking. High impact polystyrene and polybutadiene, a component of high impact polystyrene and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer, majority components in these residues according to literature, have been also studied in the process, using a bifunctional Pt/Hβ catalyst and under kinetic control. The results show a high yield to liquid fuels in the gasoline range with high impact polystyrene and polybutadiene, with a high content of naphthenics and isoparaffins in the catalytic process. Plastics from cellular phones, with a complex composition, require a previous removal of silicone, to prevent to formation of solids. Once silicone is removed, these residues, with a majority yield to liquids, could be treated together with other plastic wastes in catalytic hydrocracking.

Characterization of Nanoclay Modified Polycarbonate Blend with Secondary Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Terpolymer

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) terpolymer is one of the major plastics in IT equipment waste stream. In the current research secondary ABS (s-ABS) is blended with polycarbonate (PC) by forming one of the most popular thermoplastics engineering system. The effect of organically modified montmorillonite clay (OMMT) on the tensile properties and thermal stability of PC+10wt.%s-ABS blend is investigated. Increase in stiffness, strength and thermal stability is observed along with rising OMMT content. Highest increments of the aforementioned properties are observed within the OMMT range of 1-1,5 wt.%.

The effect of introduction of montmorillonite clay (MMT) on the elastic properties of polycarbonate (PC) composition with acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS)

Polycarbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer (ABS)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites have been obtained by melt compounding in a twin-screw extruder. Structural and elastic properties have been characterized. The theoretical analysis of the elastic properties of PC/ABS/MMT composite with a widely varied number of elementary layers in clay filler particles has been performed in order to estimate the influence of the degree of exfoliation of particles on the effect of reinforcement of the material. Results of the theoretical analysis have been compared with the experimental data about the effects of unmodified and two types of organically modified montmorillonite clays on the elastic characteristics of the investigated PC/ABS nanocomposites. It has been demonstrated that addition of dimethyl benzylhydrogenated tallow ammonium treated MMT allows effectively increase modulus of elasticity of PC/ABS composites at minor nanofiller content (up to 1.5wt.%) due to the development of the nanocomposites with high degree of exfoliation of the clay particles. Besides it has been observed that addition of the nanoclay causes glass transition temperatures of the polymeric components of the investigated multicomponent system to approach each other that is believed to testify about the improvement of compatibility between the ABS and PC phases.

Kinetic Modeling and Simulation of Emulsion Grafting Copolymerization of Styrene and Acrylonitrile in the Presence of Polybutadiene Seed Latex Particles

A two-phase kinetic model is proposed for the emulsion grafting copolymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene seed latex particles. The experimental results observed by conducting the polymerizations at 50 °C are compared with those predicted by the proposed kinetic model and confirm that the model is valid for predicting the rate of this emulsion grafting copolymerization. In the model predictions, thermodynamic equilibrium equations proposed in our previous papers are used for calculating the monomer concentrations in poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) domains and continuous polybutadiene matrix in acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer particles as emulsion grafting copolymerization proceeds. In addition, it is shown that the model is also applicable to predict grafting efficiency, copolymer composition of free and grafted chains.

Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene Terpolymer with Metal Hypophosphites: Flame Retardance and Mechanism Research

Three metal hypophosphites, including aluminum hypophosphite (AP), magnesium hypophosphite (MP), and calcium hypophosphite (CP), were applied to flame retard acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS). Thermal stability of three flame-retardant ABS were evaluated, and the enhancement of thermal stability were found. Flammable properties of flame-retardant ABS were investigated by Underwriters Laboratories 94 vertical burning test (UL-94), limit oxygen index (LOI), and cone calorimetry. Results suggested that AP could endow the best flame retardance for ABS with a UL-94 V-0 rating and LOI value of 25.1%. The peak heat release rate of ABS-AP reduced to 174.8 kW/m2, and the total heat released was decreased to 40.9 MJ/m2. Thermogravimetric Fourier transform infrared (TG-FTIR), FTIR, and scanning electron microcsopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX) were used to characterize the gaseous products and condensed residue respectively. Results showed that the flame-retardant mechanism was attributed to the formation of a two-layer protective barrier consisting of an organic P–O–C char layer and an inorganic layer to insulate material from fire and oxygen in the condensed phase, and the generation of P• and PO• to capture the reactive radicals in the vapor phase.

Mechanical and morphological properties of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer/nitrile butadiene rubber thermoplastic vulcanizates plasticized by dioctyl phthalate

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer (ABS)/nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) blends were prepared by dynamic vulcanization where ABS matrix was plasticized by dioctyl phthalate (DOP), and the influences of DOP plasticizer dosage on mechanical properties, Mullins effect, and morphological properties of the TPVs were investigated systematically. Experimental results indicated that the mechanical properties of ABS/NBR TPVs were improved significantly with the incorporation of DOP. Compared with ABS/NBR TPVs, the tensile strength and the elongation at break went through maximum values at a plasticizer content of 10 phr, while the Shore A hardness was decreased apparently. Mullins effect results showed that the TPVs incorporated with DOP had relatively lower stress-softening effect, residual deformation, and internal friction loss than that of the ABS/NBR TPVs, indicating the improvement of elasticity. Morphology studies showed that the fracture surface of ABS/NBR/DOP TPVs was relatively smoother, indicating the significantly improved elastic resilience ability.

The Influence of Gamma Irradiation on Repeated Recycling and Accelerated Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Terpolymer Aging

Electronic waste also referred to as waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is the fastest growing waste stream in Europe today. The fast exchange pace of mobile phones, television sets and computers create an important need to develop recycling areas to take care of, reuse and recycle all the materials they contain. One common plastic in WEEE is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene terpolymer (ABS). Repeated recycling of plastic causes it to chemically degrade and one of the unwanted effects is the shortening of the polymer chains. Gamma irradiation is known to be able to crosslink polymers and thus reverse the chain shortening. Therefore, the hypothesis of this study is that gamma irradiation of ABS would have a beneficial effect when recycling plastic. Comparative experiments of gamma irradiation has been done according to two methods: A single gamma irradiation (40 kGy) before the extrusion and aging cycles, and the effect of four 10 kGy doses delivered before each of the re-extrusion steps were completed. The results show that gamma irradiation has an impact on the mechanical and rheological properties of ABS. The yield stress increased with irradiation doses of 0, 10, 50 and 400 kGy. The viscosity also increased in the test samples with irradiation doses of 0, 10, 100 and 200 kGy. In the multi-recycling and accelerated aging test, there was a significant reduction in stiffness for the gamma irradiated samples after the second out of four cycles which cannot be fully explained.

Thermoplastic vulcanizates from post consumer computer plastics/nitrile rubber blends by dynamic vulcanization

Due to depletion of natural resources and increasing greenhouse emissions, new technologies for the transformation of waste polymers into valuable materials represent one of our greatest current needs. Acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer (ABS) is one of the most widely used engineering plastics and is used as outer casing for electronic equipment. Nitrile rubber (NBR) is used in many applications that demand oil resistance. In an attempt to explore whether these materials can be successfully recycled, we prepared blends of scrap computer plastics (SCP) based on ABS with NBR and waste NBR powder (w-NBR), and investigated their mechanical properties and recyclability. Specifically, we assessed the effect of dynamic vulcanization and replacement of virgin NBR with w-NBR on the properties of 60/40, 70/30, and 80/20 NBR/SCP blends. These blends exhibited thermoplastic elastomeric behavior. The thermoplastic elastomeric blends showed excellent swelling resistance to standard lubricant oil (namely, IRM 903 oil).