Effects of a new compatibilizer on the mechanical properties of TPU/PEBA blends. (15th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Xin-Zhu; Wang, Jing-Wen; Wang, Hou-Qing; Zhuang, Guo-Chao; Yang, Jian-Bao; Ma, Ying-Jie; Zhang, Yang; Ren, Hua
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 175(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07-15
• Subjects: Blending modification -- Compatibilizer -- Mechanical properties; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111358
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Blending of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polyether-block-amide elastomer (PEBA) to obtain a blend with excellent overall properties. A polyurethane with one end blocked with an isocyanate group and one end blocked with two epoxy groups was prepared as a compatibilizer for TPU/PEBA blending systems. The mechanical properties of TPU/PEBA blends are related to their compatibility, and improving their compatibility can improve their mechanical properties. Abstract: In this work, to improve the mechanical properties of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyether-block-amide elastomer (PEBA) was used to modify it through a blending method. Due to the low compatibility of the two, a polyurethane with one end blocked with an isocyanate group and one end blocked with two epoxy groups was prepared as a compatibilizer, named as E-PU-I. And a series of TPU/PEBA blends with different components were prepared using a torque rheometer, and the effects of E-PU-I on the microstructure, phase interface interaction, rheological properties and mechanical properties of the blends were investigated. It proves that E-PU-I improves the compatibility between TPU and PEBA, resulting in more uniform dispersion of PEBA in TPU and smaller particle size, thus improving the overall performance of the blends. In addition, when the critical E-PU-I content is around 3.2 parts, the mechanical properties of the blends have been significantly improved.