EFFECT OF COMPATIBILIZERS ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND MORPHOLOGY OF ABS/UHMWPE BLENDS

Abstract

This research evaluates the effect of compatibilizer and UHMWPE content on physical properties and morphology of ABS/UHMWPE blends. The effectiveness of PE-g-MAH and SEBS compatibilizers in ABS/UHMWPE blends was investigated. The sample preparation was carried out in a twin screw extruder followed by an injection molding machine. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) were utilized to assess the morphological and thermal properties of the blends, respectively. Morphology observation of the blends indicated the better compatibility of the blends with increasing SEBS content. For thermal analysis, the ABS/UHMWPE blends with compatibilizer did not show any significant difference in thermal properties. The tensile strength decreased while the elongation at break and the impact strength increased with SEBS compatibilizer content. The results indicated that SEBS acted as a good compatibilizer in ABS/UHMWPE blends and its effect was more pronounced in blends with a higher SEBS content. The mechanical properties of the ABS/UHMWPE blends at 5 phr of SEBS with UHMW content in the range of 5 to 25 wt% were compared. The results indicated that the ABS/UHMWPE blend at ratio of 95:5 exhibited the highest value of tensile strength, elongation, impact strength, hardness, abrasion resistance and stability against degradation by accelerated weathering.