Phase structure and adhesion in polymer blends: A criterion for rubber toughening

Abstract The effects of rubber particle size and rubber-matrix adhesion on notched impact toughness of nylon-rubber blends are analysed. A sharp tough-brittle transition is found to occur at a critical particle size, when the rubber volume fraction and rubber-matrix adhesion are held constant. The critical particle size increases with increasing rubber volume fraction, given by d c = T c {( π 6Φ r ) 1 3 − 1} −1 , dc is the critical particle diameter, Tc the critical interparticle distance, and or the rubber volume fraction. The critical interparticle distance is a material property of the matrix, independent of rubber volume fraction and particle size. Thus, the general condition for toughening is that the interparticle distance must be smaller than the critical value. Van der Waals attraction gives sufficient adhesion for toughening. Interfacial chemical bonding is not necessary. Even if there is interfacial chemical bonding, a polymer-rubber blend will still be brittle, if the interparticle distance is greater than the critical value. The minimum adhesion required is about 1000 J m−2, typical for van der Waals adhesion. In contrast, chemical adhesion is typically 8000 J m−2. The present criterion for toughening is proposed to be valid for all polymer—rubber blends which dissipate the impact energy mainly by increased matrix yielding.