Mechanical Characterization of Polymethyl Methacrylate and Polycarbonate Blends

Abstract

Blends of Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) and Polycarbonate (PC) were prepared using solution casting method in five different concentrations (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% by weight) using dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) as a solvent. The mechanical properties were studied by Dynamic Mechanical Analyser (DMA). Stress‐strain scan have been used to study the tensile strength and Young's modulus for these blends. It has been observed that complex modulus decreases with temperature due to the thermal expansion of the film of polymer blend. The result obtained for variation of Tan δ and modulus with concentration indicates about the degree of miscibility of this blends. Glass transition temperature of pure PMMA is found to be at 136 °C because it is highly isotactic in nature. It is observed that Tg of the blend shifts towards the lower temperature with the increase of concentration of PC. Blending of PMMA and PC improves the mechanical properties such as Young's modulus and tensile strength. The Young's modulus, ultimate strength and tensile strength increases with the increase in concentration of PC upto 50% and then decreases on further increase in concentration. The value of Young's modulus and tensile strength is found to be highest at 50% concentration.