Polyoxymethylene/ethylene butylacrylate copolymer/ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate ternary blends

Abstract

Blends of compatibilized polyoxymethylene (POM)/ethylene butylacrylate copolymer (EBA)/ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (EMA-GMA) and uncompatibilized POM/EBA were investigated. The notched impact strength of the compatibilized blends was higher than that of their uncompatibilized counterparts. The toughness of the POM blends was improved obviously with relatively low loading of EBA. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of EMA-GMA, pure POM, and POM/EBA/EMA-GMA blends indicated that epoxy groups of EMA-GMA reacted with terminal hydroxyl groups of POM molecular chains. The glass-transition temperature (Tg) values of the POM matrix and the EBA phase were observed shifted to each other in the presence of EMA-GMA compatibilizer indicating that the compatibilized blends had better compatibility than their uncompatibilized counterparts. With the addition of EBA to POM, both the compatibilized and uncompatibilized blends showed higher onset degradation temperature (Td) than that of pure POM and the Td values of the compatibilized blends were higher than those of their uncompatibilized counterparts. The scanning electron microscopy showed better EBA particles distribution state in the compatibilized system than in the uncompatibilized one. The compatibilized blend with an obvious rougher impact fracture surface indicated the ductile fracture mode. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1127–1134, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers.