In the melt, grafting of polycarbonate onto polystyrene‐ block ‐poly(ethylene‐butylene)‐ block ‐polystyrene‐ grafted ‐maleic anhydride: Reactive extrusion

The use of reactions between polycarbonate (PC) and polystyrene‐ block ‐poly(ethylene‐butylene)‐ block ‐polystyrene‐ grafted ‐maleic anhydride (SEBS‐ g ‐MAH) is a convenient way to create SEBS‐ g ‐PC. Grafting was realized by reactive extrusion at three temperatures using SnOct 2 or TBD catalysts. SEC analyses showed the apparition of a double distribution when the TBD was used. The mean residence time widely increased when this catalyst was used, and the rheological curves depicted a percolation effect of the SEBS nodules in the PC matrix. No explicit evolution was found with the use of SnOct 2 . The thermal analyses showed the disappearance of the PC phase transition temperature. The Van Gurp‐Palmen plots confirmed the efficiency of the TBD catalyst and that 260°C was the optimal reactive extrusion temperature. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2660–2668, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers