Properties of Compatibilized SAN/NR Blends

Abstract

The blend of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN) and natural rubber (NR) is immiscible and incompatible which lead to poor mechanical properties. Many methods can be carried out to improve the compatibility. In this work, the potential of various reactive compatibilizers in SAN and NR blend was explored. The morphological and mechanical properties were compared. The melt blending of SAN and NR were prepared in an internal mixer with various types of reactive agent such as styrene-co-maleic anhydride (SMA), maleic anhydride (MA), peroxide and mixed reactive agents. The morphological textures of the blends were investigated by scanning electron microscope. Mechanical properties including tensile strength, impact strength and elongation at break were measured. The results of morphological observations revealed that SAN/NR blend with reactive agent, the mixture of SMA and MA show the smallest and the most uniform dispersed NR particles, where the size of NR particle is about 1 µm. The mechanical properties of the blends revealed impact strength and elongation at break were increased with addition of reactive agents. SAN/NR blend with the mixture of SMA and MA showed the highest elongation at break but it had lower impact strength than the blend with SMA.