Abstract
Thin films of two poly (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) [ABS] resins have been strained in tension, and the ensuing deformation has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy. To enhance contrast of the rubber particles, some of the specimens were stained with OsO4. Films containing only solid rubber particles 0.1 μm in diameter show little tendency for crazing. Instead, cavitation of the rubber particles occurs, together with localized shear deformation between the particles along a direction nearly normal to the tensile axis. For specimens containing a mixture of the same small particles plus larger (1.5μm diameter) particles containing glassy occlusions, some crazing does occur. Crazes tend to nucleate at the larger particles only. When crazes encounter the smaller particles these cavitate without appearing to impede or otherwise affect the craze growth. The occluded particles also show significant cavitation, with voids forming at their centres at sufficiently high levels of strain. These voids do not seem to lead to rapid craze break-down and crack propagation. In commercial ABS, which typically has both large and small rubber particles, both crazing, nucleated by the large particles, and shear deformation, encouraged by the cavitation of small rubber particles, can be expected to make important contributions to the toughness of the polymer.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
C. B. Bucknall, “Toughened Plastics” (Applied Science Publishers, London, 1977) 1.
K. Kato, J. Elect. Micros. 14 (1965) 220.
Idem, Polymer Lett. 4 (1966) 35.
M. Matsuo, C. Nozaki and Y. Jyo, Polymer Eng. Sci. 9 (1969) 197.
H. Breuer, F. Haaf and J. Stabenow, J. Macromol. Sci. Phys. B14 (1977) 387.
S. L. Aggarwal and R. A. Livigni, Polymer Eng. Sci. 17 (1977) 498.
S. L. Rosen, ibid. 7 (1967) 115.
M. Matsuo, A. Ueda and Y. Kondo, Polymer Eng. Sci. 10 (1970) 253.
C. B. Bucknall and R. R. Smith, Polymer 6 (1965) 471.
M. Matsuo, Polymer Eng. Sci. 9 (1970) 206.
C. B. Bucknall and D. Clayton, J. Mater. Sci. 7 (1972) 202.
C. B. Bucknall, D. Clayton and W. C. Keast, ibid. 7 (1972) 1443.
P. Beahan, A. Thomas and M. Bevis, ibid. 11 (1976) 1207.
E. J. Kramer, in “Polymer Compatibility and Incompatibility: Principles and Practices” edited by K. Solc, (MMI Press, Midland, MI, USA, 1982).
B. D. Lauterwasser and E. J. Kramer, Phil. Mag. 39A (1979) 469.
A. M. Donald and E. J. Kramer, J. Appl. Polymer. Sci., to be published.
Idem, J. Mater. Sci. 17 (1982) to be published.
C. B. Bucknall and I. C. Drinkwater, J. Mater. Sci. 8 (1973) 1800.
P. Beahan, A. Thomas and M. Bevis, J. Mater. Sci. 11 (1976) 1207.
F. Ramsteiner, Polymer 20 (1979) 839.
F. Haaf, H. Brewer and J. Stabenow, Angew Makrolmol. Chem. 58/59 (1977) 95.
A. M. Donald and E. J. Kramer, J. Mater. Sci. 16 (1981) 2967.
Idem, J. Polymer Sci. Polymer Phys. Ed. to be published.
Idem, Polymer, to be published.
H. Breuer, J. Stabenow and F. Haaf, Proceedings of the Conference on Toughening of Plastics, London, July 1978, (Plastics and Rubber Institute, London, 1978) Paper 13.
A. M. Donald and E. J. Kramer, Phil. Mag. 43A (1981) 857.
A. M. Donald, T. Chan and E. J. Kramer, J. Mater. Sci. 16 (1981) 669.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Donald, A.M., Kramer, E.J. Plastic deformation mechanisms in poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene) [ABS]. J Mater Sci 17, 1765–1772 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00540805
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00540805