Study on morphology, mechanical, thermal and viscoelastic properties of PBT/ABS/CNT nanocomposites

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and carbon nanotubes were employed to enhance the notched impact toughness and high-temperature performance of poly(butylene terephthalate) based material. PBT/ABS/CNT nanocomposites were produced via melt-mixing process. At the next stage, the mechanical, thermal and morphological behaviour of nanocomposites were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy showed a relatively uniform dispersion of ABS phase in the PBT host phase. The results of thermodynamic interfacial energy analysis implied that CNTs are localised in the PBT continuous phase. The existence of ABS droplets in PBT noticeably improved the notched impact toughness. The inclusion of carbon nanotubes into the PBT/ABS blend enhanced tensile, flexural and notched impact resistance. In addition, the incorporation of ABS and CNT in PBT considerably elevated the storage modulus at high temperature. The uniform dispersion of ABS phase and localisation of CNTs in the PBT continuous phase were key factors in the properties improvement.