EFFECTS OF THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF GLASS FIBER REINFORCED POLY(3-HYDROXYBUTYRATE-CO-3- HYDROXYHEXANOATE)

摘要

This study investigates the effects of thermoplastic elastomers on the mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced bacterial polyester, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co- 3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH), composites. The thermoplastic elastomers used were styrene-ethylene- butylene-styrene copolymer (SEBS) and maleated styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer (SEBS- MA). Composites were prepared by melt-compounding and injection molding. Mechanical test results suggested that SEBS-MA was more effective than SEBS in improving ductility, fracture energy, and notched Izod impact strength of glass fiber reinforced PHBH composites. Scanning electron microscopy results suggested that SEBS-MA encapsulated fibers as well as dispersed in the PHBH matrix, whereas SEBS dispersed in the PHBH matrix without fiber encapsulation.