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Paper Abstract
Styrene maleic anhydride copolymer resins are used to
modify engineering thermoplastics, and in most studies, as little as 0.5
– 5.0 weight percent can dramatically improve various properties. For
example in Nylon 6, the addition of 0.5 – 1% styrene maleic anhydride
copolymers can decrease the melt flow index to help improve
processability. In filled polypropylene, these resins uniformly disperse
fillers, resulting in higher melt flow, without hurting physical
properties.
Similarly, styrene maleic anhydride copolymers act as
excellent pigment dispersants for a variety of both organic and
inorganic pigments into many types of plastics. The copolymers contain
both polar (maleic anhydride) and non-polar (styrene) groups, which can
enhance the compatibility between polar and non-polar polymers. This
allows improved adhesion of laminating layers of dissimilar polymer
films, and better adhesion of polar inks and coatings to non-polar
polymeric films (polyolefins).
The high Tg’s of styrene maleic anhydride copolymers
impart excellent heat resistance and thermal stability to polymers, and
the high styrene content of some of these copolymers contribute low
dielectric loss properties. The results of several studies demonstrating
the versatility of these copolymers will be discussed. |
