Mechanical properties and deformation micromechanics of rubber-toughened acrylic polymers

A range of rubber-roughened acrylic polymers was prepared by dispersing preformed, multiphase toughening particles (1) directly into an acrylic polymer by extrusion, and (2) into, methyl methacrylate monomer, which was then polymerized to form the acrylic matrix. The tensile and impact properties of the materials are reported together with the results from studies of deformation micromechanics performed using optical microscopy, transmission electron, microscopy, and real-time, snail-angle X-ray scattering. The effects of acrylic-matrix properties and toughening-particle composition, morphology, size, and level of inclusion on mechanical properties and fracture behavior are discussed.