Reactive Compatibilization of Poly(Butylene Terephthalate)/Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate Blends by Epoxy Resin: Morphology and Mechanical Properties

The effect on the notched Izod impact strength of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) by blending it with acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA) was examined. Epoxy resin (ER) was demonstrated to be an efficient compatibilizer for the partially compatible blends of PBT/ASA. It requires only a very small amount of ER to improve the toughness of the PBT/ASA blends drastically. Furthermore, there exists an optimum proportion of ER added to achieve maximum notched Izod impact strength. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation suggests that the ER in the PBT/ASA/ER blends suppressing the tendency of coalescence of ASA, leading to better dispersion of the ASA particles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) shows that ER enhances the phase dispersion and the interfacial adhesion between the PBT and ASA phases, it improves the compatibility between PBT and ASA. The compositions in the interphase was continuous, which results in multiphase composites with a graded interphase. It is suggested that enhanced interphase adhesion was necessary to obtain improved dispersion, fine phase morphology, and better toughness.