Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin modification with polybutene

Polybutenes are viscous, non-drying liquid polymers which can impart improved properties such as impact, flexibility, melt flow, and tear strength to rubber and thermoplastic polymers. The modification of two types of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resins, an emulsion and a bulk/mass process product, was studied. The results indicate that polybutene modification increases both room temperature and low temperature impact strength, while maintaining or increasing the melt flow rate. There was no effect on heat distortion temperature, but a modest decrease in tensile and flexural properties was observed. The compounding and testing methods are described, as well as the effect of polybutene concentration and molecular weight on the blend properties.