Deformation behavior of triblock copolymers based on polystyrene: an FT-IR spectroscopy study

The effect of the long range order and thermal treatment on the micromechanical deformation of two triblock copolymers was investigated, i.e. polystyrene-b-polybutadiene-b-polycaprolactone (SBC) triblock copolymer with PS as the matrix and PCL cylindrical domains and a SBS triblock copolymers with 75 wt% of styrene. FTIR spectroscopy revealed information about the molecular orientation upon deformation of the separate components in the triblock copolymers. Films of SBC possess a higher ductility when the semi-crystalline PCL cylindrical microdomains are quenched. In this case, the deformation proceeds via cavitation of the PCL domains and subsequent shear yielding. Long range order of the cylinders leads to embrittlement since crazes formation and crack propagation can proceed along the cylindrical axis. For the SBS triblock copolymers, a morphological transition from lamellar to short rod cylindrical microdomains was obtained by changing the casting solvent from toluene to MEK, while macroscopic orientation could be achieved by compression molding in a channel die. The toluene cast films were ductile and deformed in a homogeneous way. The MEK cast films behaved brittle as a result of crazing. Loading parallel to the lamellae results in yielding by propagation of a stable macroscopic neck.