Effects of side chains in compatibilizers on interfacial adhesion of immiscible PLLA/ABS blends

A series of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-type and comb-like polymers were synthesized by copolymerizing methyl methacrylate (MMA), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and MMA macromer. The effects of PMMA side chains, which were derived from the MMA macromer, on the interfacial adhesion of the immiscible poly (l-lactide)/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PLLA/ABS) system were thoroughly investigated. The peel strength of the PLLA/ABS interface determined from a T-peel test increased proportionately with the number of side chains. In addition, when the comb-like compatibilizers were applied in the PLLA/ABS system, the morphology of the blends, which was measured by the interface perimeter per unit area of dispersed phase domains, also increased linearly with the number of side chains in compatibilizers. The mechanical properties of the compatibilized PLLA/ABS blends were improved concomitantly with the increment of side chains. Specifically, the fracture strain of the PLLA/ABS blends compatibilized by the compatibilizer with two PMMA side chains was about 3 times greater than by the compatibilizer with no side chain.