Microfibrillation and properties of poly (styrene acrylate) microspheres reinforced polymethyl methacrylate composite fibers

The composite fibers were prepared by blending the poly(styrene-acrylate) microspheres prepared by suspension polymerization with the polymethyl methacrylate matrix by melt blending. The morphological changes of the dispersed phase microspheres during the shear-extrusion-drawing process were observed, the microfibrillation mechanism of the composite microspheres was revealed, and the mechanical properties were tested. The experimental results show that the poly(styrene-acrylate) microspheres correspond to morphological changes during the shearing-extrusion-drawing process. The microspheres were deformed in the shear flow field, to be microfibers end-to-end in the extrusion flow field continuously, and extended to form nano-microfibers under the action of the drafting flow field. Compared with pure PMMA, the composite fibers prepared by poly(styrene-methyl methacrylate) (PSM) presented better mechanical properties, with an increase of 10.85% and 152.81% for the tensile strength and elongation at break, respectively.