Toughening and Chain‐Extending Effect of Tris(4‐Hydroxyphenyl)methane Triglycidyl Ether for Waste Acrylonitrile‐Butadiene‐Styrene

ABSTRACT Adding a chain extender is one of the effective means to achieve high‐value recycling of waste acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene ( w ABS). In this study, tris(4‐hydroxyphenyl)methane triglycidyl ether (TTE), with the small molecular structure and multiple epoxy groups, was used as a chain extender in w ABS. The effects of TTE on the mechanical properties, molar mass, rheological behaviors, thermal stability, and fracture morphology were studied. The results showed that TTE extended the broken w ABS chains, increased the molar mass, and improved the morphology of w ABS/TTE, resulting in better performance in impact strength, tensile strength, storage modulus, loss modulus, complex viscosity, and thermal stability. When the content of TTE is 2.0 wt.%, the impact strength of the w ABS/TTE blend increased to 28.5 kJ/m 2 , which was a 20.8% increase compared with w ABS, and both T 5% and T max2 in air had been improved, with each showing an increase of 5°C and 9°C, respectively, compared to w ABS. The incorporation of TTE significantly enhanced w ABS, improving interfacial bonding and providing better performance for w ABS.