PoIy(trimethylene terephthalate) Toughened with Biobased-Rubber:Morphological,Mechanical,and Blend Characteristics

摘要

This study focused on the performance of blends containing poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) with biobased elastomer through processing and injection molding techniques.An epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) was trialed for its impact enhancement at 40 wt.%,as well as maleated polybutadiene rubber (MR) for compatibilization.To determine the blend systems compatibility,rheometry,contact angle and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized.ENR was found to be more partially miscible in the PTT blend system from interfacial tension and work of adhesion results that were supported by increased shear viscosity and shear thinning behavior.Viscosity ratios were modeled for the thermoplastic-elastomer morphology which matched with SEM images,demonstrating that the elastomer is dispersed within the PTT.The compatibilizer decreased the size of the rubber phase as seen in SEM.MR provided increased crosslinking and noticeable alteration in the FTIR peaks,representative of chemical interactions between the PTT and maleic anhydride.This augmented the impact strength by more than 4 times that of the neat PTT and provided a greater modulus of toughness and elongation at yield.[1]