COPOLYMERS OF METHYL-METHACRYLATE AND N-CYCLOHEXYL MALEIMIDE - PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES

Copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and N-cyclohexyl maleimide (NC M) with low intrinsic viscosity were obtained when free-radical copoly merization was carried out in benzene solution. Copolymers containing 0-30 wt.-% NCM were also prepared by bulk polymerization as cast acryl ic sheets and had much higher intrinsic viscosity. An increase in NCM content in copolymers resulted in an increase in thermal stability and modulus and a decrease in tensile strength, strain at break, impact s trength of unnotched specimen and light transmittance. The increase in haze was marginal up to 15 wt.-% of NCM. A decrease in water absorpti on was observed with an increase in NCM content.