Effects of compatibilizers on the mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of poly(propylene carbonate)/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends

Abstract

The effects of compatibilizers on the mechanical, morphological, thermal, and rheological properties of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) (70/30) blends were investigated. Three different compatibilizers were used in this study: poly(styrene-g-acrylonitrile)-maleic anhydride (SAN-g-MAH), poly(ethylene-coglycidyl methacrylate) (EGMA) and maleic anhydride (MAH). Tensile strength of the PPC/PMMA (70/30) blend increased with the addition of SAN-g-MAH up to 5 parts per hundred resin by weight (phr). In the morphological studies of the PPC/PMMA (70/30) blend with the SAN-g-MAH 5 phr, the droplet size of the PMMA decreased most significantly (from 3.4 to 0.9 mu m) compared to those of the blends with the EGMA and MAH. Glass transition temperature (T (g) ) of the PPC-rich phase in the PPC/PMMA (70/30) blends shifted to the higher temperature when the SAN-g-MAH was added up to 5 phr. Thermal stability of the blends was improved by the addition of SAN-g-MAH (5 phr). Complex viscosity of the PPC/PMMA (70/30) blends were increased when the SAN-g-MAH was added up to 5 phr. From the above results in mechanical, morphological, thermal and rheological studies of the PPC/PMMA (70/30) blends, it is suggested that the most effective compatibilizer is the SAN-g-MAH and its optimum content in the blend is 5 phr in this study.