EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF RUBBER-TOUGHENING OF PET

摘要

This work deals with impact toughening of semi-crystalline and amorphous polyethylene terephtalate by the addition of core-shell elastomer particles. Two types of particles, differing by the reactivity of their shell, are compared. Specimen are analysed using a combination of various experimental techniques. Essential work of fracture allows discriminating energy dissipation processes. Izod tests allow to estimate the efficiency of the toughening. TEM observations allow to characterise dispersion and damage of the particles. Real time light backscattering and tensile tests allow comparing the level and the moment of occurrence of cavitation. Provided that loading conditions are highly tri-axial, the particles are able to significantly toughen PET, especially in the case where a reactive shell is used. Semi-crystalline PET appears to be more demanding as far as the modifier-matrix interface is concerned. Comparing results of the mechanical characterisations and damage analysis allows proposing a scheme for toughening process.