Effects of core-shell particle growth manners on morphologies and properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/(methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene) blends

A series of methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) core-shell particles were synthesized by seeded emulsion polymerization. All the MBS particles are designed with the same defined chemical composition, which is a prerequisite for producing transparent blends with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). Three different growth manners of core-shell particles: agglomeration of small styrene-butadiene rubbers (SBRs) followed by styrene (ST) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers grafting, agglomeration of small MBS particles and traditional MBS with single SBR rubber core, and ST/MMA shells are used. The effects of growth manners of MBS on the properties and deformation mechanism of PVC/MBS blends are studied. It is found that all the MBS particles can toughen the PVC matrix effectively, but different deformation modes are observed: cavitation in large particles, debonding at the PVC/MBS interface, rubber cavitation, and clusters of voids, respectively. In addition, it is found that the stress-whitening extent is associated with the deformation modes. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:37-42, 2016. (c) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers