The Influence of Processing Conditions on the Mechanical Properties of Poly(Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene)/ Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) (ABS/PMMA) Blends

Abstract

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) can improve the mechanical and optical properties of poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (ABS). The blends of ABS and PMMA are applied to produce electrical enclosures with high requirements for gloss and hardness. Knowledge about the processing conditions that influence the blends of polymers is important to achieve the best material properties. In our research described here, ABS/PMMA blends and their testing samples were separately prepared under various processing conditions based on polymer blending theory. The influence of extrusion (times) and injection (temperatures and pressures) conditions on the mechanical properties and morphologies of the ABS/PMMA blends were investigated. Appropriate processing conditions and optimal mechanical properties of the ABS/PMMA blends were obtained. The blends following extrusion processing twice had better impact strength, tensile properties, and bending properties than those prepared with only one extrusion processing. The blends prepared under injection processing conditions (220 °C, 70 MPa) had better mechanical properties than those prepared under other conditions. Therefore, it was possible to correlate the processing conditions with the evaluated mechanical properties.