A study on functionalizing SEBS through ozone treatment and the mechanical properties of its blend with polyamide 6

Abstract

Two types of styrene-b-(ethylene-co-1-butene)-b-styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS) were functionalized through ozone treatment. The structure and properties of ozonized SEBS and the mechanical properties of their blend with Polyamide 6 (PA6) were studied by FTIR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, gel content measurement, contact angle measurement, SEM, and mechanical properties measurement. The experimental results show that through ozone treatment, some oxygen-containing groups (mainly carbonyl groups) are introduced onto the molecular chains of SEBS. The polarity of SEBS is thus improved. Compared with star-shaped SEBS602, SEBS503 of linear shape is more susceptible to ozone oxidation. The polarity of ozonized SEBS503 is higher than that of ozonized SEBS602. The improvement of mechanical properties of PA6/ozonized SEBS blend is attributed to the improvement of the dispersion of ozonized SEBS in PA6 matrix and the interfacial adhesion between PA6 and ozonized SEBS. Compared with that of PA6/ozonized SEBS602 blend, the size of dispersed phase in PA6/ozonized SEBS503 blend is smaller, and the interfacial adhesion is stronger. The notched Izod impact strength of PA6/ozonized SEBS503 (90 min