Flow and Mechanical Properties of Carbon Black Filled Acrylonitrile- Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)

ABSTRACT: Thermal stability of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) polymers is one of the most essential necessities for color and glossy durability of their surfaces. On the other hand, mechanical properties of ABS are significantly affected by its thermal degradation. One way to protect ABS against degradation is the addition of carbon black (CB) that can act as a stabilizer. In this work, CB was compounded with ABS via melt mixing and the effect of CB structures on the melt and final ABS/CB composites behavior were examined. Flow behavior of ABS/CB compounds was investigated by measurement of melt flow index (MFI). The variation of the MFI of the composites with CB content, particle size and the applied load was also investigated. The results showed that the effect of smaller particles in decreasing the MFI was pronounced than larger particles. The fracture surfaces of the impact tests were studied by scanning electron microscopy, and showed that a semi-brittle fracture surface appeared when CB was added to the ABS. The Young’s modulus of ABS increased and the yield stress decreased by increasing the CB loading