Effect of clay modification on the morphology and the mechanical/physical properties of ABS/PMMA blends

The effect of three types of organoclays on the morphology and mechanical properties of lower critical solution temperature-type poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (ABS/PMMA) blends was investigated. Polymers were melt-compounded with 2 and 4 wt % of clays using a twin-screw extruder. X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the intercalation of the nanoclay in the hybrid nanocomposite was more affected by the polarity of the organoclay. Although the morphology of the blends varied by PMMA content, scanning electron microscopy showed smaller PMMA domains for the hybrid systems containing clay particles. Although good dispersion of the nanoclay through the ABS matrix and at the blend interface led to enhancement of tensile strength, the increment of the stiffness was more noticeable for nanocomposites including less polar organoclay. Well-dispersed clay platelets increased the glass transition temperature. In addition, nanoscratching analysis illustrated an improvement in scratch resistance of ABS because of the presence of PMMA and organoclay. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012