Influence of chlorosulfonated polyethylene network structure on poly(acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate)/poly(α-methylstyrene-acrylonitrile) blends: Mechanical properties, morphologies, glass transition behavior and heat resistance

Acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate terpolymer and poly(α-methylstyrene-acrylonitrile) (ASA/α-MSAN, 25/75) with different loadings of chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM) were prepared via melt blending, with goals of toughening modification of ASA/α-MSAN blends and maintaining the heat resistance simultaneously. The results revealed CSM had excellent toughening effect at room temperature. At 0 °C, impact strength increased linearly with CSM content. However, toughening effect of CSM was undesirable at −30 °C. The temperature-dependent toughening efficiency of CSM was significantly related to its glass transition behavior. Scanning electron microscope analysis on cryo-fractured surfaces revealed the toughening mechanism was the formation of CSM toughening network in matrix, which was further confirmed by selective extraction tests. The formation of CSM network could lead to increased glass transition temperature of the blends at the low temperature region according to dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Different from other toughening agents, CSM network uncompromised the heat resistance of ASA/α-MSAN blends.