Morphology and properties of ASA/PET blends

This study examines the morphology and mechanical properties of acrylate styrene acrylonitrile (ASA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) blends. The morphology of the 60/40 and 40/60 ASA/PET blends reveals a dispersed phase morphology verging on co-continuity, whilst the 50/50 blend appears to be completely co-continuous. Processing temperature has no effect on blend modulus or tensile strength and there is no statistically significant difference in mechanical performance between the three blend ratios. Charpy impact resistance decreases with increasing processing temperature. The fracture surface reveals a similar mushroom fibril morphology found for the ASA/polybutylene terephthalate (PET) system, but is less extensive. Thermal analysis shows a marked drop in glass transition temperature for the blends compared to the component polymers.