THERMAL AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF COPOLYMERS OF METHYL-METHACRYLATE WITH N-PHENYL MALEIMIDE

Structural modification of PMMA was done by copolymerizing it with low mole fraction (less-than-or-equal-to 0.1) of N-phenyl maleimide (NPM) using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator. Four copolymers were prepared by changing the mole fraction of NPM in the monomer feed from 0.025 t o 0.1. The copolymer composition was determinedby H-1-NMR. An increase in NPM content resulted in an increase in T(g) of copolymers. Tensile stress and % elongation decreased, whereas modulus increased with an increase in NPM content. The flexural strength was not affected by the NPM content. The dynamic mechanical properties were also evaluated in the temperature range of -20 to 100-degrees-C.