Effect of curing agent on interfacial adhesion in acrylic polymer-based laminates

The effect of crosslinking on interfacial adhesion between an acrylic elastomer and poly(methyl methacrylate) has been studied using a 90 degrees peel test. Elastomers were master-batched with a 1 : 10 sulfur/sodium mixture. The compounded elastomer was then bonded with poly( methyl methacrylate) by in situ curing at various temperatures. Variations in the curing affect both the mechanism of adhesion and separation. The relationship between peel strength and crosslink density is found to be P = kM(c). Crosslinking at relatively low temperatures produced a partially crosslinked elastomer that leads to high peel strengths. When crosslinked at 180 degrees C, the acrylic elastomer was completely cured, and the peel strength decreased by more than 80%. This is consistent with an optimum level of crosslinking required for peel strength. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.