Abstract
In the present study multigraft copolymers and block-double-graft copolymers were investigated by TEM, small-angle X-ray scattering, rheology and tensile testing. Enhanced mechanical properties and decrease in long range ordering of the microstructure was observed with increase in number of branch points in the multigraft chain architecture. Additionally the influence of selective crosslinking of the polyisoprene matrix was found to improve the tensile strength and strain at break at low crosslinking dosage. Block-double-graft copolymers with styrene isoprene (SI) diblocks grafted to the SIS triblock backbone were found to show superior tensile property when compared to other block-double-graft copolymers with polystyrene or polyisoprene chains grafted to the SIS back bone.