Preparation and properties of PC/PCTG blends with excellent optical properties and solvent resistance

Abstract

Blends of polycarbonate (PC) and poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate glycol) (PCTG) were synthesized using a twin-screw extruder. Four distinct PC/PCTG blends were produced with PCTG constituting 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of the total weight. Comprehensive evaluations were performed to investigate their thermal properties, solvent resistance, light transmittance, mechanical characteristics, and melt flow index. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated a single glass transition temperature in the PC/PCTG blends, indicating high compatibility. The incorporation of PCTG was observed to affect the blends' thermal stability. The data revealed a progressive increase in solvent resistance, light transmittance, and melt flow index with increasing PCTG content. The light transmittance of the blend reached 87.5%, and the melt flow index was recorded at 124.2 g (10 min)⁻¹. Mechanical tests showed that the tensile and bending strengths were relatively stable with the addition of PCTG, but there was a noticeable reduction in notched impact strength as the proportion of PCTG increased. © 2024 Society of Industrial Chemistry.