Reactive compatibilization of SAN/EPR blends: Effect of kinetics of the compatibilization reaction on the interfacial adhesion

The very poor adhesion between films of styrene and acrylonitrile random copolymer (SAN) and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) can be dramatically improved by an intermediate thin layer of SAN bearing groups reactive toward maleic anhydride. The rate of the interfacial reaction, which is controlled by the reactive groups attached to SAN (amine vs. carbamate) and by the method used to build up the sandwich assembly, has a decisive effect on the capability of the SAN-g-PP graft copolymer formed at the interface to improve the fracture toughness in direct dependence on its molecular architecture.