Hollow glass microspheres filled poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene) (ABS) composites were prepared by means of a twin-screw extruder. S038 hollow glass microspheres were incorporated at different percentages of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 wt%.

The hollow glass microspheres were added into the twin-screw extruder at two different feeding zones, and the effect of hollow glass microspheres loading and specific feeding zone addition on the composites produced was evaluated with regard to morphological, thermal, rheological, physical, and mechanical properties. As a result, the composite density was reduced while the thermal stability, storage modulus, complex viscosity, and tensile and flexural modulus were improved when compared with the ABS matrix.

The results also indicate that the addition of 5.0 wt% of hollow glass microspheres at the feeding zone closer to the die maintains the integrity of the hollow glass microspheres and promotes composites with higher mechanical properties and lower density when compared with the composites obtained with the addition of hollow glass microspheres closer to the hopper.

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