Small amounts of glycidylisobutyl polyhedral oligomericsilsesquioxane (G-POSS) (up to 10 phr) were added into a immiscible polyamide12 (PA12)/polyolefin elastomer (POE) blend (70 wt%/30 wt%) by simple melt mixing. The effects of the G-POSS on phase morphology and mechanical properties were investigated by FE-SEM, tensile testing, Izod impact test and dynamic mechanical analysis. FE-SEM analysis revealed that domain size of the dispersed POE phase in matrix PA12 is decreased significantly by adding the G-POSS, indicating a compatibilization effect of the G-POSS for the immiscible PA12/POE blend. The PA12/POE blend compatibilized with POSS showed simultaneous enhancement in mechanical properties including tensile modulus, strength and toughness. Further, thermally triggered shape memory effect was observed in this compatibilized blend.
Keywords: POSS; compatibilization; polyamide12; polymer blend; polyolefin elastomer.