Phase Structure of PVC/MBS Blends by Small Angle X-ray Scattering

The phase structure of blends consisting of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene graft copolymer (MBS) are examined by small-angle-X-ray scattering (SAXS). The interface layer thickness (sigma), correlation distance (a(c)), and interface layer specific surface area (S-sp) are calculated using Debye-Bueche's statistical theory. The results show that the grafted sequence of styrene or methyl methacrylate to butadiene-styrene copolymer have significant influence on the values of sigma, a(c), and S-sp. The sigma-value of PVC/MBS in which styrene is first grafted in MBS is about 5 nm larger than that of methyl methacrylate (MMA) that is first grafted in MBS.