Toughening mechanism of PA1010/ester-based TPU blends

To improve the notched impact strength of polyamide-1010 (PA1010), it was modified with a thermoplastic poly (ester urethane) elastomer (ester-based TPU). The notched impact strength of PA1010/ester-based TPU blends was investigated by using an impact tester and the fracture morphology of PA1010/ester-based TPU blends was investigated by means of SEM. In the impact experiments, it was found that the notched impact strength of the blends is obviously higher than that of pure PA1010, and the fracture surfaces of the blends show a corrugated and oriented structure. The results indicate that the brittle-to-tough transition of the blends occurs when the content of ester-based TPU is 20 wt.% and there is a new toughening mechanism, which is the multi-layer crack extension mechanism, besides the crazing with a shear-yield mechanism in the process of fracture for the blend samples under impact.