Compatibilization mechanism and property improvement of immiscible engineering plastic blends

In the present research, poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)/ polycarbonate (ABS/PC) blends were prepared in a twin screw extruder. The morphology and thermal and mechanical characteristics of the obtained products were investigated. Reinforcement of the compatibility of the above systems was attempted by the incorporation of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT), as well as by the addition of compatibilizer (ABS grafted with maleic anhydride, ABS-g-MAH) and the effect on the morphology and properties of ABS/PC blends was evaluated. In addition, the incorporation of OMMT to the compatibilized blends was also examined. Reinforcing with OMMT enhances the miscibility of ABS and PC phases in ABS/PC blends, influences the thermal degradation mechanism and gives the best performance in terms of tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and storage modulus in all the examined blends.