X-ray microscopy of rubber modified poly(methyl methacrylate) blends produced by cryogenic mechanical alloying

X-ray microscopy has been utilized to characterize the morphology of polymer blends produced by cryogenic mechanical alloying. It is found that mechanical alloying yields intimately mixed blends with the degree of mixing increasing with increasing milling time. In the absence of chemical reaction or physical compatibilization, intimate mixing is compromised when the blends are post-annealed or processed at high temperatures for extended times.