| abstract |
The invention encompasses a new methacrylate resin blend composition, and a method of making the blend composition, having improved solvent craze resistance. The new blend composition contains a methacrylate matrix resin, particles of a single layer polymer, and, optionally, an acrylic multi-layer polymer. Particles of the single layer polymer derived from 50% or more methyl methacrylate, and having weight average molecular weight (Mw) at least 120% of the Mw of the methacrylate matrix resin component of the blend, the particles having a diameter of from 50 to 500 nanometers, have been discovered to confer a solvent craze resistance value to the methacrylate resin blend which is at least twice the solvent craze resistance value of the methacrylate resin absent particles of the single layer polymer. Solvent craze resistance of the blend may be improved by as much as 10-fold or more over the solvent craze resistance of the methacrylate matrix resin alone. |