Ethylene Methacrylate (EMA) Co-polymer Toughened Polymethyl Methacrylate Blends: Physico-mechanical, Optical, Thermal and Chemical Properties

Abstract

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was blended with ethylene methacrylate (EMA) copolymer in different compositions by melt mixing technique using Haake Rheochord twin screw extruder. The physico-mechanical, thermal, optical and chemical properties of PMMA/EMA blends were investigated with special reference to the blend compositions. The impact strength of the blends was found to increase significantly with increase in EMA content, without affecting the optical properties significantly. Optical micrograph images of the blends reveals that the rubbery phase dispersed as domains in the continuous PMMA matrix at 5 and 10 wt. % addition of EMA. The PMMA/EMA, 80/20 blend was found to exist as co-continuous system. Attempts have been made to correlate changes in morphology with mechanical properties. The influence of chemical ageing and heat ageing on the mechanical performance of PMMA/EMA blends has been studied. Four composite models such as series model, parallel model, Hapin-Tsai and Kerner's model have been used to fit the experimental tensile strength, tensile modulus and surface hardness.

Synthesis and characterization of graphene oxide filled ethylene methyl acrylate hybrid nanocomposites

“…EMA has the lowest density amongst the major plastics and possess a very high strength to weight ratio. 14 In addition, EMA can be crosslinked by electron beam irradiation or peroxides to enhance their properties. This material is used for the electrical insulation for low to medium voltage cables.…”

Study on the Mechanical Properties and Surface Gloss of Acrylonitrile Butadiene-Styrene/Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)/Ethylene Methacrylate Copolymer (EMA) Composites

“…Fig. 1 Effect of EMA content on the tensile strength of ABS/PMMA Poomalai [9] presented that Ethylene methacrylate (EMA) copolymer could increase the impact strength of PMMA effectively, without affecting the optical properties significantly, and the rubber phase dispersed as domains in the continuous PMMA matrix at under 10wt% addition of EMA. The same methyl methacrylate (mma) structure may relate to the good miscibility of PMMA/EMA.…”

Notch Sensitivity of Poly(Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene)/Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)/Ethylene Methacrylate Co-Polymer (EMA) Composites

“…Ethylene methacrylate (EMA) co-polymer has the same methyl methacrylate (mma) structure with PMMA. Although a phase separation occurs upon melt mixing, PMMA is partially miscible with both ABS [4,5] and EMA [6]. Poomalai [6] noticed that EMA could improve the impact property of PMMA significantly while the optical properties Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols.…”