Mechanical Properties and Morphology of Nitrile Rubber Toughened Polystyrene

Mechanical properties and morphology of blends of polystyrene and finely powdered (uncrosslinked and crosslinked) nitrile rubber were studied with special reference to the effect of blend ratio. Blends were prepared by melt mixing polystyrene and nitrile rubber in an internal mixer at 180°C in the composition range of 0–20 wt% nitrile rubber. The tensile stress/strain properties and impact strength of the polystyrene/nitrile rubber blends were determined using injection molded test specimens. In comparison to the blends with uncrosslinked nitrile rubber, blends with crosslinked nitrile rubber showed higher tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus, impact strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus. The enhanced adhesion between the dispersed nitrile rubber phase and the polystyrene matrix results in an increase in mechanical properties. Scanning electron micrographs of the fractured surfaces confirm the enhancement in mechanical properties.