Toughening of polyamide 6 with a maleic anhydride functionalized acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymer

Maleic anhydride functionalized acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS‐ g ‐MA) copolymers were prepared via an emulsion polymerization process. The ABS‐ g ‐MA copolymers were used to toughen polyamide 6 (PA‐6). Fourier transform infrared results show that the maleic anhydride (MA) grafted onto the polybutadiene phase of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS). Rheological testing identified chemical reactions between PA‐6 and ABS‐ g ‐MA. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy displayed the compatibilization reactions between MA of ABS‐ g ‐MA and the amine and/or amide groups of PA‐6 chain ends, which improved the disperse morphology of the ABS‐ g ‐MA copolymers in the PA‐6 matrix. The blends compatibilized with ABS‐ g ‐MA exhibited notched impact strengths of more than 900 J/m. A 1 wt % concentration of MA in ABS‐ g ‐MA appeared sufficient to improve the impact properties and decreased the brittle–ductile transition temperature from 50 to 10°C. Scanning electron microscopy results show that the shear yielding of the PA‐6 matrix was the major toughening mechanism. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008