Mechanical properties of ethylene-vinyl acetate/polystyrene blends studied by in situ polymerization

Shih Kai Cheng, Po Tsun Chen, Cheng Chien Wang, Chuh Yung Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study examined ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)-toughened polystyrene (PS). EVA is well-known to be incompatible with PS; thus, the PS graft to the EVA backbone (EVA-g-PS) was used as a compatibilizer and provided good adhesion at the interface of PS and EVA. In addition, the mechanical properties and impact resistance of the PS matrix were obviously improved by EVA-g-PS and by EVA itself. Meanwhile, differential scanning calorimetry results showed that the grafted PS chain influenced the crystallization of EVA; for example, the melting temperature, the crystallization temperature, and the percentage crystallinity related to EVA were reduced. Moreover, the addition of 10% EVA increased the impact strength by a factor of five but reduced the modulus by the same factor. Additionally, a lower number-average molecular weight EVA delayed phase inversion and resulted in poor mechanical properties. A fracture surface photograph revealed that the major mechanism of EVA-toughened PS was craze and local matrix deformation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)699-705
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Applied Polymer Science
Volume88
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003 Apr 18

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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