Blends of poly(2,6–dimethyl–1,4–phenylene oxide) with styrene copolymers

Binary blends of poly(2,6–dimethyl–1,4–phenylene oxide) (PPE) with various styrene copolymers were investigated. Poly(styrene–co–acrylonitrile) (SAN), poly[styrene–co–(methyl methacrylate)] (SMMA), poly[styrene–co–(acrylic acid)] (SAA) and poly[styrene–co–(maleic anhydride)] (SMA) are only miscible with PPE when the amount of comonomer is rather small. From calculated binary interaction densities it can be concluded that the strong repulsion between PPE and comonomer limits miscibility. In blends of PPE with SAN, as well as with ABS, the inter-facial tension between the blend components is significantly reduced upon addition of polystyrene–block–poly–(methyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers (PS–b–PMMA) and polystyrene–block–poly (ethylene–co–butylene)–block–poly–(methyl methacrylate) triblock copolymers (PS–b–PEB–b–PMMA). They show a profound influence on morphology, phase adhesion and mechanical blend properties.