Acrylic terpolymer–PVC blends with improved properties

Adhesive sealant compositions with improved properties and enhanced outdoor resistance were prepared by blending acrylic terpolymer (AT) with PVC. The morphology of these blends was studied by SEM, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA), and DSC. The blends are heterogeneous. They consist of a continuous phase, which is either pure or mixed. AT, and a particulate phase having the morphology of the added component. The particulate phase of AT–PVC contains mixed AT. The AT–PVC blends have improved mechanical properties (e.g., ultimate tensile strength, adhesive strength, etc.). The improvement in mechanical properties is strong, probably because the added PVC has strong specific interaction capabilities with AT. Whereas the unblended AT has very low outdoor durability, the AT–PVC blends display enhanced resistance to weathering, as evidenced by substantially higher ultimate tensile strength of weathered specimens than those of the controls (unweathered).