The effects of blend composition and compatibilizer on the mechanical properties of the PP/SAN and the PP/ABS blends

Polypropylene(PP : continuous phase)/poly (styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN : dispersed phase) blends, and PP/poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)(ABS : dispersed phase)blends, containing various amounts of compatibilizer(PP-SAN graft copolymer), were prepared at various shear rates by using twin-screw extruder. In the PP/SAN blend, the average size of the dispersed particles(SAN) was increased with SAN content, while the flexural strength and tensile strength were decreased with SAN content. When the screw rpm was increased from 10 to 60 rpm, the size of the dispersed phase was decreased while the flexural strength and the tensile strength were increased. Maximum mechanical strength and minimum droplet size were observed when the 5 phr compatibilizer was added to the PP/SAN blends. The mechanical strength of PP/ABS blends such as flexural strength and tensile strength increased by adding compatibilizer was reached maximum when blends contained 5 phr compatibilizer.