The effects of PC‐PMMA block copolymer on the compatibility and interfacial properties of PC/SAN blends

Abstract

Block copolymers of polycarbonate (PC) and polymethyhnethacrylate (PMMA), PCb-PMMA, were examined as compatibilizers for blends of PC with styrene-co-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymer. PC-b-PMMA was added to blends of PC with SAN containing various amounts of AN. The average diameter of the dispersed particles was measured with an image analyzer, and the interfacial properties of the blends were analyzed with an imbedded fiber retraction (IW test and an asymmetric double cantilever beam fracture test. The average particle size and interfacial tension of the PC/SAN blends reached a minimum value when the SAN copolymer contained about 24 wtYo AN. A maximum in the adhesion energy was also observed at the same AN content. Interfacial tension and particle size were further reduced by adding PC-b-PMMA to the PC/SAN blends. Fracture toughness of the blends was also improved by enhancing the interfacial adhesion by the addition of PC-b-PMMA. The addition of PC-b-PMMA copolymer was more effective at improving the interfacial properties of PC/SAN blends than was varying the AN content of the SAN copolymers. The interfacial properties of the PC/SAN blends were optimized by adding a block copolymer and using an SAN copolymer that had minimum interaction energy with PC. SCIENCE, NOVEMBER 2oO0, V d . 40, NO. 11 2374 POLYMER ENGINEERING AND

Interfacial adhesion in model bioblends

“…37,46 The method has also been found to be an effective tool in the investigation of the various factors affecting the performance of copolymer compatiblizers. 34 -41 As an example, Char et al 37 used the ADCB fracture test to determine the effect of PS-b-PMMA compatiblizer on the interfacial adhesion between poly(phenylene oxide), PPO, and PMMA.…”

“…Similar trends between the interfacial adhesion and interfacial tension of polymer blends have been reported by others. [35][36]46 …”

Polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–styrene–acrylic elastomer terpolymer blends with enhanced interfacial adhesion and surface gloss

“…The procedure for the synthesis of TMPC-b-PMMA has been described in detail elsewhere. 14,15 Blends of PC with the SAN copolymer were prepared via melt mixing or solution casting. PC/SAN mixtures were mixed in a Haake Rheomix torque rheometer (Karlsruhe, Germany) for 15 min at 60 rpm and 240°C.…”

“…In previous studies, 14,15 we explored block copolymers, such as PC-b-PMMA [where PMMA is poly(methyl methacrylate)], PC-b-SAN, TMPC-b-PMMA (where TMPC is tetramethyl polycarbonate), and TMPC-b-SAN, as interfacial agents for PC/SAN blends. In this study, PMMA was also explored as an interfacial agent for PC/SAN blends, and the results were compared with those of the TMPC-b-PMMA block copolymer, which was the most efficient compatibilizer of the block copolymers examined previously.…”

“…However, the AN content of the SAN copolymer was fixed at approximately 24 wt % because the PC/ SAN blend exhibited maximum interfacial adhesion at this AN concentration. 14,15 To enhance the surface gloss of the blend, we controlled the particle size of the rubber, the rubber shape, the viscosity ratio of PC to ASA, and the type of compatibilizer and its concentration.…”