Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Polystyrene: Blending with Low, Medium and High Molecular Mass Elastomers

Abstract

Rubber toughened polystyrene (RTPS) materials were prepared by blending polystyrene with three types of thermoplastic elastomer (SEPS) which include low molar mass, medium molar mass and high molar mass with the same styrene content. The effect of particle morphology, varying molar mass and percentage thermoplastic elastomer content on the mechanical properties were evaluated. The results obtained show that rubber toughened polystyrene blends of low and medium molar mass rubber have superior stress and strain characteristics when compared with rubber toughened polystyrene blend of high molar mass rubber. Study of phase morphology revealed that 30-40L/M blends exhibit more even dispersion of rubber particles in contrast to that of 30-40H blends which exhibit a broader size distribution of rubber particles.