Toughness enhancement of high‐impact polystyrene based on γ‐radiation vulcanized natural rubber latex by using block copolymer

Abstract

Polyisoprene-block-polystyrene-block-polyisoprene (ISI) was synthesized by the iniferter route and its use, as compared to a commercial polystyrene-blockpolyisoprene-block-polystyrene (SIS), in the enhancement of the toughness of highimpact polystyrene (HIPS), prepared by the ␥-radiation vulcanized natural rubber (RVNR) latex/phase transfer/bulk polymerization technique, was investigated. Addition of 5% SIS was adequate as an interfacial agent, which effectively increased the unnotched Izod impact energy of HIPS, whereas use of 10% of ISI was required. A long polyisoprene block with two polystyrene segments of SIS was favorable for compatibilization of HIPS. Transmission electron micrographs revealed the uniform distribution of the block copolymer at the shell region of the rubber particle.

Toughness and morphology of radiation‐crosslinked natural rubber modified polystyrene

“…The micrograph shows a large number of black spherical clues, ranging from 0.6 to 1.4 µm, which probably represented RVNR particles. The rubber–matrix adhesion was responsible for the unclear RVNR/PS interphase 13…”

“…It has been reported that a bimodal rubber particle distribution with a population of small and large particles (>1 µm) was more effective than a unimodal distribution 10. The recently published method based on γ‐radiation vulcanized natural rubber (RVNR) latex/phase transfer/bulk polymerization has proved to be one of the simplest and attractive for HIPS preparation 11–13. In this process, the negatively charged RVNR particles transfer from the latex into styrene monomer by addition of a cationic surfactant.…”

Electrospinning and Mechanical Properties of Polystyrene and Styrene-Isoprene-Styrene Block Copolymer Blend Nanofibres

“…It already has often been blended with SIS and SBS, with the blend fibers through melt spinning being discussed in several papers. [3,19,20] However, this research about the fibers was stated to still be on the millimeter scale. Many possibilities have not been explored, especially those on the nanometer scale.…”

Heterocoagulation of polychloroprene on natural rubber latex particles for use in the preparation of toughened polystyrene

“…1,2,8 An unnotched sample of HIPS based on 5% RVNR was produced when the styrene phase was polymerized in bulk form at 70°C with 1% benzoyl peroxide (BPO). The impact resistance of HIPS was measured with an Izod apparatus (Zwick 5102, Germany) according to ASTM Standard D 4812-93, whereas its morphological study was conducted with transmission electron microscopy (TEM; H300, Hitachi, Japan).…”

“…That the film cast from the heterocoagulated latex showed better oil resistance than the NR film confirmed the NR/CR core-shell structure. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 9 -13, 2003 …”