Effects of compatibilizers on the mechanical properties of ABS/PLA composites

Composites composed of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer (ABS) and poly(lactic acid) were prepared to develop ABS‐based automobile console boxes with improved environmental friendliness. ABS/PLA composites without any additives showed extremely poor mechanical properties. However, increase in the content of polybutadiene moiety of ABS and introduction of proper compatibilizer and heat stabilizer enhanced the mechanical properties of ABS/PLA composites significantly. Thermal stabilization effect of the heat stabilizer was assessed by determining the activation energy of thermal degradation, by measuring the molecular weight variation of PLA and by observing the morphology of the fractured surface. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012