Recycled polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene reinforced and toughened through chemical compatibilization

Abstract

ABSTRACT To improve the utilization efficiency of recycled polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (R‐PC/ABS), we studied the mechanical, morphological, and rheological properties of R‐PC/ABS with styrene–butadiene–glycidyl methacrylate (SBG), which was used to reinforce and toughen the R‐PC/ABS through chemical compatibilization. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in R‐PC/ABS reacted with epoxy groups in SBG to produce ester and ether groups. The results of scanning electron microscopy show that the domain sizes of the ABS particles decreased when the SBG content was 6 wt %; this demonstrated that the compatibility of the polycarbonate (PC) and ABS was improved after the addition of SBG. The results of the loss modulus of dynamic mechanical analysis were consistent with the morphological results, which reflected a better compatibility of PC and ABS in the modified samples. The introduction of SBG increased the molecular weight and entanglements; this improved the viscosity and storage modulus in the modified samples, as demonstrated by the rheological results. Furthermore, the mechanical properties were obviously enhanced, especially the impact strength, when the SBG content was 6 wt %; this was ascribed to the chemical reactions and improved compatibility after melt extrusion with SBG. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136 , 47537.