Morphology and properties of organoclay modified polycarbonate/poly(methyl methacrylate) blend

• Published in: Polymer engineering and science Vol. 46; no. 8; pp. 1121 - 1129
• Main Authors: Ray, S. Sinha, Bousmina, M., Maazouz, A.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.08.2006; Wiley Subscription Services; Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Differential scanning calorimetry; Epoxy resins; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Matrix; Mechanical properties; Molecular weight; Polymer blends; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymeric composites; Scanning electron microscopy; Technology of polymers; Thermogravimetric analysis; Clay; Mixing; Organic clay; Polymer blends; Montmorillonite; Dispersion degree; Methyl methacrylate polymer; Mechanical properties; Dispersion reinforced material; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; Composite material; Heterogeneous mixture; Structure processing relationship; Morphology; Concentration effect; Nanocomposite; Polycarbonate
• ISSN: 0032-3888; 1548-2634
• DOI: 10.1002/pen.20598

Virgin and organoclay modified polycarbonate (PC)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) (30/70 w/w) blends were prepared by melt‐mixing of PC, PMMA, and organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT). The morphology of OMMT modified PC/PMMA blend with two different weight percents of OMMT was studied using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The size of the phase‐separated domains decreased dramatically with increasing the content of OMMT. XRD patterns and TEM observations revealed that silicate layers were intercalated and nicely dispersed in the blend matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry analyses showed efficient mixing of two immiscible polymers in the presence of OMMT. The blend nanocomposites showed greatly improved mechanical properties when compared with the same blend sample without OMMT. Finally, the opaque immiscible PC/PMMA blend became translucent after modification with OMMT addition. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:1121–1129, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers