Electron beam induced polymerisation of MMA in the presence of rubber: a novel process to produce tough materials

PMMA-rubber blends are formed through electron beam induced in situ polymerisation. The influence of rubber nature and irradiation dose has been investigated through mechanical tensile tests, solubility analysis and the results were related to material structure investigated through atomic force microscopy. Some blend formulations present a significant increase of ductility with respect to pure PMMA, without a dramatic decrease of modulus, yield stress and stress at break values. The results are interpreted on the basis of the criterion of the critical inter-particle thickness. Keywords: PMMA-rubber blends; In situ polymerisation and E-beam polymerisation.