Variation of core-shell structural particles and their toughening behavior in poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix

Abstract

Three methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) core-shell particles with different structures, namely, “salami,” “core-shell,” and “multi-layer,” were synthesized in this work. All the MBS particles were designed with the same defined chemical composition, which is a prerequisite for producing transparent blends with poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC). This work focused on the influence of the internal structure of core-shell particles on the properties of the PVC/MBS blends. Results of the dynamic mechanical analysis illustrated that the different internal structures greatly affected the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the rubbery phase and the storage modulus of the core-shell particles. The test results on the mechanical properties showed that the PVC/MBS blend with the “multi-layer” modifier had the highest tensile stress and fracture strain values, the lowest brittle-ductile transition (BDT) temperature, and the highest impact strength at a higher temperature. With the different structure, both cavitation and debonding from the matrix were observed, which relieve the triaxial tension and promote the shear yielding of the PVC matrix. The optical property showed that the PVC/MBS blend with the “core-shell” modifier had a higher transparency than the other blends.