Structure-Property Relationships of Poly(Butylene Terephthalate)/Polyolefin Blends

Abstract

Abstract Structure-property relationships of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) / polyolefin (PO) (80/20) blends modified by a reactive compatibilizer, ethylene-acrylic ester-glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer (BAG), were investigated as part of studies on toughening of PBT. POs used for the study were ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), whose deformabilities were different at room temperature. It was observed that the particle size of PO in the discrete phase was the smallest when the EAG content was 8~12 wL%. Shear viscosity of the blends increased as the particle size was decreased. It seems that the morphology and rheological properties of the blends were affected by graft copolymers formed in situ from EAG and PBT during melt mixing. Brittle-tough transition of impact strength of the PBT/EPR/EAG blends was observed when the EAG content was increased from 0 to 4 wt% at room temperature. However, blends of PBT/LDPE/EAG and PBT/HDPE/EAG showed brittle-tough transition with increasing the EAG content from 8 wt% to 12 wt%. It is postulated that toughening of the PBT depends on the deformability of the discrete PO particle as well as its size.