Microhardness and X-ray diffraction studies on polymer blends of poly (ethylmethacrylate) (PEMA) and poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO): Plasticization and crystallization aspects

Abstract

Polymer blends of poly (ethylmethacrylate) (PEMA) and poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) with different weight percentage ratios of the two polymers have been prepared using solution cast technique. PEMA as non-crystallizable and PEO as crystallizable polymer when blended yield interesting features regarding plasticization and crystallinity aspects. The microhardness and X-ray diffraction studies have been utilized respectively to detect the plasticization and crystallinity in PEMA:PEO polyblend. The decrease in the value of surface microhardness with increasing content of PEO in the blend reveals plasticization effect. The increase in crystallinity of polymer blends with increasing content of PEO is observed by X-ray diffraction. Thus PEO crystallizes in amorphous PEMA.