PHASE-SEPARATION AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE) POLYCARBONATE BLENDS

Dynamic mechanical properties, tensile properties, and scanning electron microscopy of blends of poly(methyl methacrylate) and polycarbonate were investigated after phase separation above their cloud point temperature by annealing in a hot press. The dynamic mechanical properties show that phase separation proceeds more distinctly for the blends annealed at higher temperature and for longer time. The scanning electron micrographs show that the morphology of phase separated blends varies with the conditions of heat treatment. The tensile properties of phase separated blends deteriorate on account of the coarsening of the brittle dispersed phase over the optimum size and the occurrence of voiding during the heat treatment.