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

• Published in: Macromolecular research Vol. 21; no. 11; pp. 1182 - 1187
• Main Authors: Yoo, Seok Jae, Lee, Seung Hwan, Jeon, Minho, Lee, Heon Sang, Kim, Woo Nyon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.11.2013; 한국고분자학회
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Complex Fluids and Microfluidics; Nanochemistry; Nanotechnology; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Soft and Granular Matter; 고분자공학; rheology; poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC); morphology; polymer blends; compatibility
• ISSN: 1598-5032; 2092-7673
• DOI: 10.1007/s13233-013-1159-6

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- co glycidyl 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 μm) 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.