THE ROLE OF THE COMPATIBILIZER ON MORPHOLOGIES AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF POLYAMIDE 6/(STYRENE-[ETHYLENE-BUTYLENE]-STYRENE) TRIBLOCK COPOLYMER BLENDS

In this study, the morphologies and the mechanical properties of the ternary blend of PA (polyamide)6/SEBS(styrene-[ethylene-butylene]-styrene triblock copolymer)/maleated SEBS were investigated. Maleated SEES compatibilizers of various maleic anhydride (MA) content were prepared in the laboratory. The compatibilizer significantly influenced the dispersion of the rubber as well as the crystalline form and spherulites of the polyamide. The effects of the compatibilizer on mechanical properties were correlated with the observations of morphology and stress-strain behavior. The toughness of the blends was found to be increased for those undergoing additional yielding during cold drawing. Finally, a compatibilization mechanism of maleated SEES for the blends was proposed. (C) 1995 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.