Toughening and strengthening of polypropylene using the rigid-rigid polymer toughening concept - Part II - Toughening mechanisms investigation Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Toughening mechanisms in blends of isotactic polypropylene and Noryl polyphenylene oxide/polystyrene (iPP/Noryl) are studied using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Large Noryl particles (10-15 m) are formed in iPP/Noryl blend and crazing is found to be the dominant toughening mechanism. A detailed investigation of fracture mechanisms reveals that Noryl particles help trigger and stabilize massive crazes in the iPP matrix. Incorporation of a small amount of styrene-ethylene-propylene (SEP) compatibilizer helps reduce Noryl particle size and improve interfacial adhesion between iPP and Noryl particles. Crazing and shear banding mechanisms are found to operate sequentially in iPP/Noryl/SEP blends. As a result, significantly improved toughness is obtained.

published proceedings

  • JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE

author list (cited authors)

  • Wei, G. X., Sue, H. J., Chu, J., Huang, C. Y., & Gong, K. C.

citation count

  • 33

complete list of authors

  • Wei, GX||Sue, HJ||Chu, J||Huang, CY||Gong, KC

publication date

  • February 2000