From incompatible poly(aryl ether sulfone)/polyamide 4.6. blends to new impact resistant alloys by a synergistic combination of a block copolymer emulsifier and an impact modifier

The compatibilization and impact modification of blends of a relatively new engineering plastic polyamide 4.6 (PA 4.6) and a poly(aryl ether sulfone) (PSU) are investigated. PSU‐b‐PA6 block copolymers, which can be easily synthesized by ring opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactam in the presence of a commercial PSU, were found to be very efficient emulsifiers for these incompatible blends. Small amounts (1–4%) of copolymer are sufficient to significantly reduce the particle size and to improve the tensile and impact properties. Combinations of the copolymer and an impact modifier (ethylene‐propylene rubber grafted with maleic anhydride) are synergistic and high impact PSU/PA 4.6 alloys are obtained in that way. Copyright © 1993 Hüthig & Wepf Verlag