An electron microscope study of the microstructure of some rubber-reinforced polystyrenes

ABSTRACT:In this study, we investigated the synthesis of high-impact polystyrene through a series of (batch and bulk) polymerizations of styrene in the presence of 6 wt % polybutadiene. The reactions with rubber involved three stages: dissolution, prepolymerization, and finishing. The prepolymerizations were isothermal (at 70°C) and nonisothermal (with an initial heating period from 70 to 120°C). Purely thermal reactions were compared with chemically initiated polymerizations involving tert-butyl peroctoate (TBPO), 2,2Ј-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), and their mixtures. Most prepolymerizations involved a stirring rate of 125 rpm. The particle morphology was mainly determined by the evolution of the grafting efficiency, stirring rate, and system viscosity during prepolymerization. In the nonisothermal prepolymerizations with pure AIBN, the grafting efficiency was lower than in equivalent prepolymerizations without an initiator, yielding unstable emulsions and a poor final morphology. In the nonisothermal prepolymerizations with pure TBPO, a large amount of graft copolymer was produced early in the prepolymerization, yielding a submicrometer core-shell morphology. The particle size and morphology could be controlled by the appropriate adjustment of the recipe and the prepolymerization conditions.

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“…9). The production of core–shell morphologies by rapid transformation of PB into a highly grafted copolymer was previously reported by Moore 30…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bulk polymerization of styrene in the presence of polybutadiene: Effect of initiator type and prepolymerization conditions on particle morphology

Soto

Nava

Rosas

et al. 2004

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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“…For example, when polystyrene is grafted onto polybutadiene rubber, the rubber phase -dispersed within a continuous matrix of polystyrenecontains occluded polystyrene [22] . The dispersed rubber phase, with its occluded polystyrene can occupy as much as 25% of the entire volume when the actual amount of rubber comprises only about 5 wt-%.…”

Section: Preparation Of Heterogeneous Latex Particlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphology Considerations in Heterogeneous Latexes for Impact Polymers

Williams

1973

Journal of Elastoplastics

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Recent developments in our laboratories have led to major advances in elucidating the factors controlling latex particle morphology in styrene-polystyrene systems. This paper discusses the relevance of these advances to the preparation of impact polymers from heterogeneous latexes. The results of some studies on the dynamic mechanical behavior of heterogeneous latexes is also reviewed. A thorough understanding and complete correlation of the influence of syntesis variables on impact behavior remains to be established.

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“…Moore [37] and Keskkula and Traylor [38] have used such methods to study rubber-reinforced polystyrenes, while Miyamoto et al [39] have used them together with dynamic loss (tan δ) measurements to investigate the structure and properties of styrene-butadiene-styrene (S-B-S) block copolymers. Moore [37] and Keskkula and Traylor [38] have used such methods to study rubber-reinforced polystyrenes, while Miyamoto et al [39] have used them together with dynamic loss (tan δ) measurements to investigate the structure and properties of styrene-butadiene-styrene (S-B-S) block copolymers.…”

Section: Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

Elastomer Blends

Corish¹

1978

Science &Amp; Technology of Rubber

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An electron microscope study of the microstructure of some rubber-reinforced polystyrenes

Cited by 54 publications

References 7 publications

Bulk polymerization of styrene in the presence of polybutadiene: Effect of initiator type and prepolymerization conditions on particle morphology

Bulk polymerization of styrene in the presence of polybutadiene: Effect of initiator type and prepolymerization conditions on particle morphology

Morphology Considerations in Heterogeneous Latexes for Impact Polymers

Elastomer Blends

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