SYNTHESIS OF CORE-SHELL EMULSION COPOLYMER OF POLY(BUTYL ACRYLATE) ALPHA-METHYL STYRENE-CO-METHYL ACRYLATE, WITH APPLICATION AS PROCESSING AID OF POLY(VINYL CHLORIDE)

The core-shell grafting copolymer of alpha-methyl styrene-methyl acryl ate on poly(butyl acrylate) was synthesized. The particle morphology o f latex and core-shell grafting polymerization was investigated as a f unction of: (a) reaction temperature; (b) initiator concentration used in the secondary polymerization; (c) monomer to polymer ratio; (d) em ulsifier concentration. The compatibility of this copolymer with poly( vinyl chloride) (PVC) was determined by the method of solubility param eter and scanning electron microscopy. The theological behavior of the blend of this copolymer with PVC was investigated. The mechanical pro perties of the blend were determined. The results show that this copol ymer can be used as processing aid for PVC. (C) 1994 John Wiley and So ns, Inc.