Structure and Properties of Model Polybutadienes and HIPS: Effect of Rubber Microstructure on HIPS Dynamic Mechanical Properties

Abstract

High impact polystyrene (HIPS) series was synthesized by the mass-suspension process using polybutadiene (PB) rubbers with different cis-1,4, trans-1,4, and vinyl-1,2 isomers content. The HIPS were characterized by TEM, GPC, DMA, and DSC analyses. It was found that the dynamic mechanical properties of HIPS strongly depend upon the microstructure of PB used as a modifier due to the different tendency of PB isomers to promote grafting, cross-linking, and crystallization. The DMA for HIPS synthesized from high cis and high trans rubbers show additional relaxations at the low temperature region. The DSC results for gels extracted from these HIPS exhibited melting endotherms confirming the existence of crystalline domains.

Effect of Matrix Characteristics on the Properties of High-Impact Polystyrene/Zeolite Functional Packaging Materials

“…A close correlation exists between impact strength and elastomer content (Figure ), as expected, but some other factor or factors also play a role, as shown by the deviating point of the HIPS120 polymer. The most probable reason is the dissimilar particle size of the butadiene droplets or the amount of embedded polystyrene, which were reported to influence the properties of HIPS considerably. − The particle size, size distribution, and structure of the butadiene particles depend on numerous factors, including the molecular weight and amount of the elastomer, the initiator system, stirring, shear stresses, temperature program, monomer, and solvent stripping . The detailed analysis of these factors is out of the scope of this paper, but considerable information has been published on the production, structure, and properties of HIPS elsewhere. , …”

Carbon nanotube‐polybutadiene‐poly(ethylene oxide)‐based composite fibers: Role of cryogenic treatment on intrinsic properties

“…Polybutadiene (PBu) structure and properties have garnered attention precisely due to their crystallinity and polymorphic character 21 . PBus are generally utilized in dynamic stress–strain applications, and thus, knowledge of and experience in dynamic and thermal–mechanical properties is critical for the design of these materials 22 . Compounds based on cis‐1.4‐polybutadiene are used for high‐performance tire treads to minimize the rolling resistance while enhancing the abrasion resistance 23 .…”

“…21 PBus are generally utilized in dynamic stress-strain applications, and thus, knowledge of and experience in dynamic and thermalmechanical properties is critical for the design of these materials. 22 Compounds based on cis-1.4-polybutadiene are used for highperformance tire treads to minimize the rolling resistance while enhancing the abrasion resistance. 23 The low-temperature response of elastomers depends on their glass transition T g and crystallization behavior.…”

Mechanisms and Conditions that Affect Phase Inversion Processes. The Case of High‐Impact Polystyrene

“…The PI process is affected by many parameters, such as phase viscosity ratio, phase volume fractions, rubber cis/trans content, stirring speed, reaction temperature, grafting efficiency (i.e., the fraction of grafted St with respect to the total polymerized St), monomer conversion, PS and PB molar weights, and so forth, all of which have been described empirically by different authors. [5,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17] For instance, the higher the viscosity of a given phase, the greater its tendency to remain as the dispersed phase. [18] This would imply that, for two St-PS-PB reacting mixtures with identical composition (i.e., same monomer conversion and same grafting efficiency), the one producing a PS with higher molecular weight would invert later, as its phase viscosity would be higher (note that an increase in the molecular weight of PS in the usual industrial range (120-300 kg/mol) [19] would not have any effect on the interfacial tension with PB [20]).…”