Upgrading Toughness and the Glass Transition Temperature of Polydicyclopentadiene upon Addition of Styrene-Ethylene-Butylene-Styrene Thermoplastic Elastomer

Polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD) thermoset, as commonly prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), features excellent mechanical, thermal, and anticorrosion properties, but it lacks ductility and toughness. In situ addition of 2 to 8 wt % of styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) thermoplastic during material preparation slightly alters the stiffness while improving its toughness and ductility. Remarkably, 4 wt % SEBS increases the PDCPD glass transition temperature T-g up to 165 degrees C (i.e., +7 degrees C). Calorimetric analyses suggest that addition of SEBS, acting as a plasticizer during molding, reduces the polymerization time of DCPD. This result offers a simple method to adjust PDCPD impact properties and to increase its T-g.