Binary blends of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPE) with var
ious styrene copolymers were investigated. Poly(styrene-co-acrylonitri
le) (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 sm
all. 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 interfacial tens
ion between the blend components is significantly reduced upon additio
n of polystyrene-block-poly-(methyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers (
PS-b-PMMA) and lock-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-block-poly-(methyl meth
acrylate) triblock copolymers (PS-b-PEB-b-PMMA). They show a profound
influence on morphology, phase adhesion and mechanical blend propertie
s.