The effect of the binding of various polyfunctional groups to polystyrene's (PS's) aromatic ring on the elastic properties of the PS were investigated by an ultrasonic method. Various sets of samples were prepared by chemical modification of pure PSs having different molecular weights with SA, maleic anhydride, and phthalic anhydride. The ultrasonic wave velocities of modified PSs were measured with the pulse-echo method at room temperature by a computer-controlled analyzer and a digital oscilloscope. The values of the acoustic impedance, Poisson's ratio, and elasticity constants of the samples were calculated by the measured values of the densities and sound velocities. The longitudinal and shear wave velocities and the values of all elastic constants increased with chemical modification of the pure PS. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 3425-3432, 2011