Thermal, mechanical, and diffusional properties of nylon 6/ABS polymer blends: Compatibilizer effect

The thermal, mechanical, and water absorption properties of blends of nylon 6 (PA6) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) with and without the compatibilizer maleic anhydride (MAH) were studied. Polymers were melt-blended using a twin screw extruder, and injection molded into sheets. Tensile and impact properties, hardness, heat deflection resistance, and dimensional stability were enhanced by the incorporation of MAH. Synergistic effects were observed for tensile elongation and flexural properties. The melting temperature and the thermal stability were not significantly affected by the incorporation of MAH. The mechanical property enhancement by the introduction of compatibilizer was explained by the formation of a micro-domain structure in the blends. The equilibrium water uptake increased with increasing concentration of PA6, and the diffusion coefficient was determined from the water transport kinetics at different temperatures. Activation energy was extracted from the temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient. No compatibilizer effect was observed in the swelling behavior.