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Toward Largely Enhanced Toughness and Balanced Strength in PA1012/EPDM Blends via Synergistic Effect of Sacrificial Bonds and Network Structure
Author(s) -
Sun Canchen,
Wang Yuanyuan,
Wang Bin,
Cao Yanxia,
Wang Jianfeng,
Yang Yanyu,
Wang Wanjie
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.202000813
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , toughness , ionomer , epdm rubber , vulcanization , izod impact strength test , rheology , natural rubber , polyamide , polymer , copolymer , ultimate tensile strength
Here, zinc‐neutralized ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) ionomers with different neutralization levels are prepared through melt blending, and are then incorporated with polyamide 1012 (PA1012) to fabricate PA1012/EPDM ionomer blends. Interestingly, complex crosslinking networks are formed in the blends due to the construction of sacrificial bonds (Zn 2+ ‐carboxyl, Zn 2+ ‐amide). The as‐formed network structure and sacrificial bond endow the PA/EPDM blends with largely enhanced toughness (16 times higher than that of neat PA), as well as balanced strength and stiffness. Meanwhile, the rheological behaviors of PA1012/EPDM ionomer blends indicate their relative low melting viscosity, which can avoid the processing shortcomings of plastics toughened with rubber. Moreover, PA1012/EPDM ionomer blends show obvious gelation behavior, and a maximum notched Izod impact strength exhibited at the gel point, in which unique double network structure can be observed obviously, indicating that there is a corresponding correlation between the rheological and mechanical parameters. Furthermore, the supper‐toughening mechanism of PA1012/EPDM ionomer blends at gel point is explored, which origins from the large deformation and cavitation of rubber particles and the destruction of special double network morphologies. This study provides a novel and effective strategy to fabricate PA materials with outstanding toughness and excellent strength simultaneously.