Investigating the Effect of Methyl Methacrylate– Acrylonitrile -Butadiene–Styrene (MABS) on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA)-Fly Ash Cenospheres (FAC) Filled Composites

To modify the properties of polymer either by using fillers or by preparation of polymer blends gives
rise to new materials with tailored properties. In the present study, Poly (Methyl Methacrylate)
(PMMA)-Fly ash cenospheres composites were prepared using extrusion followed by Injection
molding. The effect of matrix modification with Methyl methacrylate– acrylonitrile -butadiene–styrene
(MABS) on the performance of PMMA- Fly ash cenospheres compositions was also, studied. It was
found that with the addition of Fly ash cenospheres particulate as filler in PMMA showed marginal
reduction in Tensile Strength, % Elongation and Impact strength and improvement in Flexural
Strength, Heat Deflection Temperature and Vicat Softening Point. Compared with PMMAcenospheres
composites, the notched Impact Strength of the PMMA/MABS/cenospheres composites
showed marginal enhancement in values at higher loading of cenospheres. The optimum
performances in mechanical and thermal properties were obtained when the ratio of MABS to
cenospheres was 1:2.