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Estimates for the thickness of the interface between poly (2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (PPO) and copolymers of styrene–acrylonitrile (SAN) and styrene–maleic anhydride (SMA) based on the theory of Helfand and Tagami are compared to neutron reflectivity (NR) measurements. Good agreement is found between the NR measurements and theoretical predictions that make use of a mean field binary interaction model and previously reported binary interaction energies. The techniques outlined in this work may be used to understand relationships between the mechanical properties of multiphase polymer blends and the fundamental thermodynamics of polymer interactions. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 3115–3125, 1998

The synthesis of methyl methacrylate−phenyl maleimide (MMA−PMI) and methyl methacrylate−tribromophenyl maleimide (MMA−TBPMI) copolymers and the phase behavior of their blends are reported. Copolymer compositions that form miscible binary blends with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC) and with copolymers of styrene−acrylonitrile (SAN) and styrene−maleic anhydride (SMA) were established. Repeat unit interaction energies were estimated from isothermal phase boundaries using a binary interaction model and the Flory−Huggins theory. All binary interactions with PMI and TBPMI were found to be endothermic. In general, the interactions with TBPMI are more favorable than with PMI, notwithstanding the interaction with AN where the opposite is true. LCST phase separation was measured for selected blends and compared with predictions based on the Sanchez−Lacombe equation of state.

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