Effect of a block copolymer on the adhesion between incompatible polymers. I. Symmetric tests

Abstract

We have studied the adhesion (welding) of polystyrene (PS) and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and the effect of incorporating a thin layer of PS/PMMA block copolymer in the joint. The minimum thickness of copolymer layer necessary to increase the joint failure energy G to that of the bulk was about half the interlamellar spacing (long period) of the block copolymer. This tends to suggest a simple model of the block copolymer organizing on the interface with the two halves of the copolymer dissolved in the relevant homopolymers, however, we have no direct evidence for this. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and optical microscopy were used to study the failure path. Without copolymer the crack propagated partly in the polystyrene and partly on the interface. Crazes grew from the interface into the polystyrene and the crack tended to follow such a craze for a short distance then jump back to the interface. With the copolymer, the failure mode was very similar, but there was evidence now of crazing on the interface. In no case was there evidence of a significant amount of PMMA on the PS side of the failure. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.