Abstract: The synergetic toughening effect of TPU and nanoSiO2 on POM was investigated in this paper. The structure of the toughened system was characterized using DSC and SEM. When 20 % TPU was incorporated into POM alone, the notched impact strength was 89 % higher than that of neat POM, but the tensile strength and flexural modulus were lowered by 18 % and 40 %, respectively; When 2 % SiO2 was added to POM, the increase in notched impact strength was only 22 %. When 20 % TPU and 2 % SiO2 were incorporated into POM, the notched impact strength was 230 % higher than that of POM, and the tensile strength and flexural modulus were 8 % and 13 % lower, respectively.

Key words: polyoxymethylene, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), nanosilia, toughening, modification