Effect of rubber-phase volume fraction in impact polystyrene on mechanical behaviour

Abstract

The nature and the amount of the rubber-reinforcing phase in impact polystyrene is of critical importance for a good balance of physical properties. It is difficult to change the rubber phase uniquely because of many interdependent variables in the synthesis of impact polystyrene. However, an attempt has been made to prepare rubber-modified polystyrenes with only the rubber-phase volume fraction (RPVF) as a variable. It was found that notched Izod impact strength increased linearly with RPVF, while tensile yield strength was inversely proportional (over the range covered). The area under the rubber damping peak in torsion pendulum measurements was also proportional to impact strength. © 1980.