Scratch Resistance and Impact Strength of Semi Interpenetrating Networked PMMA and PU with In Situ Produced Silica

Publisher: Trans Tech Publications

E-ISSN: 1662-9795|2017|757|3-8

ISSN: 1013-9826

Source: Key Engineering Materials, Vol.2017, Iss.757, 2017-11, pp. : 3-8

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Abstract

The scratch damage resistance and impact strength of PMMA sheets are necessary factors that have to be concerned by manufacturers. The aim of this work is to investigate the influences of silica (Si) from tetraethoxysilane on scratch damage resistance of the sheet surfaces for optical applications. The polymeric composites including PMMA, polyurethane (PU) and Si were produced via a bulk polymerization in a casting process. The technique creates semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) between PMMA and PU. The percentage of IPNs and surface morphology of the composite sheets were observed. Furthermore, scratch resistance, impact strength, ultraviolet and thermal degradations of PMMA-PU-Si sheets were measured and compared with those of neat PMMA-PU sheets. The results revealed that the optimal Si amount (0.039 phr) provided 2B of the scratch resistance (2B of pencil range). This composite formula gave the highest impact values of 24.27 kJ/m2 for an Izod type and 24.94 kJ/m2 for a Charpy type. Composite sheets showed increases in ultraviolet and heat resistance by increasing the content of Si. However, the PMMA-PU-Si sheets were useable at temperature lower than 180 C.