Journal of Applied Polymer Science · 1996 · 20 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceMaterials ChemistryMechanical Behavior Of MaterialsPolymer EngineeringComposite MaterialsDuctilityFracture MechanicsFracture ToughnessPolymer BlendsTensile PropertiesBrittle-ductile TransitionChain ScissionChain Scission MechanismsEntanglement TheoryImpuritiesMorphology - Property RelationshipsPolymer Blends MorphologyPolymer Chain Scission
The effect of processing temperature on the low-speed tensile and high-speed impact properties of novel ABS/PET blends was investigated. In agreement with the conclusions from related studies of ABS/PC blends, it appears that catalytic impurities in the ABS accentuate the propensity of PET for chain scission. Due to the cocontinuous structure of the blend, the hydrolytic or thermomechanical degradation of the PET results in a dramatic loss in mechanical properties which can be explained by the entanglement theory for fracture and the Orowan brittle–ductile hypothesis. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.