Accelerating effect of poly(methyl methacrylate) on rubber oxidation, Part 1: A chemiluminescence study

The oxidative stability of blends of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with four types of rubber, poly(ethylene-stat-propylene-stat-5-methylene-2-norbornene) (EPDM), poly(ethylene-stat-vinyl acetate) (EVA), dicarboxy terminated poly(acrylonitrile-stat-butadiene) (NBR) and poly(1,3-butadiene-stat-styrene) (SBR), has been investigated as models for rubber-toughened PMMA. Chemiluminescence was used to monitor the oxidation of the rubber in the blends, revealing an unexpected accelerating effect of PMMA on the oxidation of all the rubbers investigated. The effect varies according to the type of rubber and the temperature. The thermo-oxidative stability of PMMA has also been found to decrease in the presence of the rubber as proved by thermogravimetry, confirming mutually antagonistic effects of PMMA and rubber in the blend oxidation. On the basis of results from all techniques, including identification of oxidation products by FTIR spectroscopy, a possible mechanism is suggested, involving the formation of mobile radicals in PMMA induced by rubber oxidation. These radicals are suggested to play a crucial role in enhancing rubber phase oxidation. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.