Performance characteristics of compatibilized ternary Nylon 6/ABS/LCP in-situ composites

Ternary Nylon 6/poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)(ABS)/liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) blends compatibilized by the maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAP) and solid epoxy resin (bisphenol type-A) were injection molded. Thermoplastic matrix consisting of Nylon 6/ABS (60/40) (wt%) was melt blended with various LCP (Vectra A950) contents. The effects of compatibilizer additions on the structure-mechanical property relationship of the in-situ composites reinforced with LCP were investigated. SEM observation revealed that the additions of epoxy and MAP compatibilizers to the Nylon 6/ABS/LCP blend were very effective to enhance the interfacial adhesion of its phase components. Consequently, extended long and fine LCP fibrils were formed in the skin section of in-situ composites. Tensile measurements revealed that uncompatibilized Nylon 6/ABS/LCP blend exhibited lower strength, stiffness and impact toughness. However, the incorporation of MAP and epoxy resin compatibilizers into Nylon 6/ABS/LCP blend improved its tensile strength, stiffness and impact toughness considerably. This was due to the compatibilizers effectively promoted stress transfer at the interfacial phase regions of ternary in-situ composites. The compatibilized composites exhibited mechanical anisotropy, especially for the tensile strength. Thermogravimetric measurements showed that the heat resistance and heat stability of the in-situ composites tended to increase with increasing LCP content. © 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.