Rheological characterization of ABS, PC, and their blends through the interpretation of torque rheometer data

The blends of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC) prepared on a Haake Torque Rheometer System 9000 were studied in order to investigate the effect of ABS addition on the flow properties of PC. The recorded data obtained from the rheometer were converted, into values of shear rate, shear stress, and viscosity, following the method suggested by Laguna. The viscosity of the blends was found to decrease with the shear rate according to the concept of pseudoplasticity. An improvement in the PC processability through the ABS addition was confirmed. Along with the possibility of yielding theological parameters, this method seems to be an efficient way to enlarge the application of this instrument in the polymer industry.