MOLECULAR DESIGN OF MULTICOMPONENT POLYMER SYSTEMS: EMULSIFYING EFFECT OF POLY( alpha -METHYLSTYRENE-B-METHYL METHACRYLATE) IN POLY(VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE)/POLY( alpha -METHYLSTYRENE) BLENDS.

Abstract

peer reviewedA preliminary evaluation of the morphology and mechanical behaviour of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly( alpha -methylstyrene) blends provides clear evidence for the important emulsifying effect of a poly( alpha -methylstyrene-b-methyl methacrylate) copolymer. Moderate amounts (2 wt%) of the copolymer greatly improve phase dispersion and interfacial adhesion and also very significantly increase Young's modulus and ultimate tensile strength of the blends; even a synergy in the strength is observed