Effects of mixing protocol on morphology and properties of PA6/ABS blends compatibilized with MMA MA
The effect of different mixing protocols in the preparation of PA6/ABS/MMA MA (57.5/37.5/5 wt blends on their morphological, rheological, thermal, thermomechanical, and mechanical behavior were studied. Despite the second phase size reduction due to copolymer incorporation, mixing sequence seems to play an important role in the properties of the blends. When PA6 is blended with the pre blended ABS/MMA MA system, compatibilizer is preferentially located in ABS phase and a co continuous structure is formed. The co continuity is believed to be responsible for the enhancements in toughness, but excessive presence of MMA MA in ABS phase seems to hamper thermomechanical properties. On the other hand, when ABS is blended with the PA6/MMA MA system previously prepared, compatibilizer is preferentially located in PA6 phase and a particle in matrix morphology is observed. The absence of excessive amount of MMA MA in ABS phase avoids the negative effect on thermomechanical resistance, however enhancements in toughness are not so pronounced. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43612.