Influence of Natural Rubber/Poly(3-Trimethoxysilyl Propyl Methacrylate) Core-Shell Compatibilizer on Dynamic, Mechanical and Morphological Properties of PMMA/ENR Blends

In this work, epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) is used to improve the impact strength of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The natural rubber with poly(3-trimethoxysilyl propyl methacrylate) core-shell (adNR), prepared by admicellar polymerization, is used as the compatibilizer for PMMA/ENR blends which were prepared through melt mixing in a twin screw extruder. The effects of ENR and adNR contents on impact property were investigated by pendulum impact tester. The impact strength increased with ENR and adNR contents. The morphology on the fracture surfaces were demonstrated by using field emission electron microscope (FE-SEM), which showed the compatibility between ENR, adNR and PMMA. Furthermore, the effects of ENR and adNR contents on dynamic and mechanical properties were examined by dynamic mechanical analyzer and universal testing machine, respectively. The results illustrated that the incorporation of the adNR affected the dynamic and mechanical properties of the blends.