Toughening study of fire‐retardant high‐impact polystyrene

AbstractFire‐retardant high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) was modified by melt blending with varying amounts of three types of tougheners. The effects of the tougheners on the properties of the fire‐retardant HIPS were studied by mechanical, combustion tests, and thermogravimetric analysis. The morphologies of fracture surfaces and char layers were characterized through scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the impact properties of styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS)‐containing composites were better than those of ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM)‐containing or ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)‐containing composites. The tensile strength and flexural modulus of the fire‐retardant HIPS decreased evidently with the addition of tougheners. It is found that the compatibility between SBS copolymer and HIPS matrix was best among the three types of tougheners. The addition of SBS had little influence on the thermal property, residue, flammability, and morphology of char layer of the fire‐retardant HIPS, but the addition of EPDM rubber or EVA brought adverse influence on the residue, flammability, and morphology of char layer of the fire‐retardant HIPS, especially for EPDM. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.