MODIFICATION OF MELAMINE-FORMALDEHYDE MOLDING COMPOUNDS WITH ETHYLENE-VINYL ACETATE COPOLYMERS

Melamine-formaldehyde moulding compounds (MF) were modified by mechanical mixing with ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA) and with partially hydrolysed EVA. Ether linkages between the hydrolysed material and the MF resin improve the mechanical properties of the transfer moulded parts containing the hydrolysed material compared to those made with EVA. The use of both modifying polymers improves the ductility and, in case of the partially hydrolysed material, the postshrinkage of the extremely rigid MF matrix, as long as the modification polymer content is kept low. On the contrary, Young's modulus and the heat deflection temperature are deteriorated. The improvement in impact strength by use of those uncrosslinked polymers is still insufficient.