Poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) and polystyrene of lower molecular weight were added to commercial polystyrene. These blends were prepared in a Haake internal mixer and the properties of polystyrene/poly(propylene oxide) and polystyrene/polystyrene of lower molecular weight blends were evaluated using tensile testing, differential scanning calorimetry and torque curves obtained during the process. The results obtained show that PPO acts as a plasticizer for polystyrene, decreasing significantly its torque value and the glass transition temperature. The addition of polystyrene of lower molecular weight to polystyrene causes subtle modifications. However, the addition of both PPO and polystyrene of lower molecular weight to polystyrene probably accelerates crazes formation and it is usually detrimental to the mechanical properties.
Polystyrene; poly(propylene oxide); polymer blends; crazes
