Journal of Minerals & Materials Characterization & Engineering, Vol. 11, No.4, pp.365-383, 201 2
jmmce.org Printed in the USA. All rights reserved
365
Effect of Methyl Methacrylate– Acrylonitrile -Butadiene–Styrene (MABS) on
the Mechanical and The rmal Prop er ties of Poly (Methyl Methacrylate)
(PMMA)-Fly Ash Cenospheres (FAC) Filled Composites
M. B. Kulkarni1 and P. A. Mahanwar2*
1Department Polymer Engineering, Maharashtra Institute of Technology,
Kothrud, Pune, 411038, India.
2Department Polymer Engineering and Surface Coating Technology, Institute of Chemical
Technology, Matunga, Mumbai, 4000019, India.
*Corresponding Author: [e-mail]
ABSTRACT
With the advent of plastics and the wide range of fillers that are available have made
modifications as precise as the tailored resins themselves. To modify the properties of polymer
either by using fillers or by preparation of polymer blends gives rise to new materials with
tailored properties. More complex, three-component systems, obtained by the addition of
polymeric modifier to polymer filled composites may be of interest. Use of Fly ash cenospheres is
very attractive because it is inexpensive and its use can reduce the environmental pollution to a
significant extent. 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

366 M. B. Kulkarni and P. A. Mahanwar Vol.11, No.4
Strength, Heat Deflection Temperature and Vicat Softening Point. Compared with PMMA-
cenospheres 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.
Key words: Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA), Fly ash cenospheres (FAC), Methyl
methacrylate– acrylonitrile -butadiene–styrene (MABS), Mechanical and Thermal Properties.
1. INTRODUCTIO N
Property enhancement is usually achieved by fiber reinforcement but some studies show that
mechanical properties can improve with the addition of particulate fillers Particulate fillers have
played a vital role in the development of commercially viable polymers. Not only do they
provide a significant cost reduction but certain fillers may improves various properties of the
materials such as mechanical strength, modulus and heat deflection temperature, material
processing and its optical properties. In general the mechanical properties of particulate filled
polymer composites depend strongly size, shape and distribution of filler particles in the matrix
polymer and good adhesion the filler—polymer interface. Numerous inorganic fillers like fly
ash, mica, talc, calcium carbonate, hollow glass bead etc. have been incorporated in polymer
matrix [1-9].
Fly ash is a fine ash byproduct commonly produced by the combustion of coal during the
generation of electrical power. Coal is composed of combustible organic matter with a variable
amount of inorganic mineral matter. During combustion, the minerals in coal become fluid at
high temperature and are then cooled. In a pulverized coal fired boiler, the furnace operating
temperatures are typically in excess of 1,400 °C (≌ 2,500 °F). At these temperatures, mineral
matters within the coal may oxidize, decompose, fuse, disintegrate or agglomerate. Rapid
cooling in the post combustion zone results in the formation of spherical, amorphous particles.

Vol.11, No .4 Effect of Methyl methacrylate– acrylonitrile -butadiene –s tyre ne 367
Expansion of trapped volatile matter can also cause the particles to expand to form a hollow
cenospheres; however minerals with high melting points may remain relatively unchanged. The
heating and cooling cycle have a significant effect on the composition and morphology of each
particl e. Fly ash cenospheres are a waste by-product of coal combustion and, as such, are
available at very low cost. These are hollow thin-walled spheres of sizes several tens of micron
to 500 μm. According to their chemical compositions, these materials belong to the
multicomponent systems with a SiO 2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3 content of approximately 90 wt%. These
are formed during the coal burning process by evolution of gas becoming trapped in a viscous
molten glass matrix, can be reclaimed from fly ash readily and are relatively inexpensive as a
bulk product. They are considered a waste product, so any use of them decreases the strain on the
environment [10-13].
Recently fly ash has been used as filler in polymer to produce particulate reinforced polymer
composites, saving the other commonly used mineral fillers used in polymers, thereby helping
the environment. Many experimental studies using fly ash have shown that the presence of f iller
does increase the stiffness of the polymer composite, but like most fillers, reduces impact
resistance. To improve these properties, other components should be added to the composite
formulation [4,14-16]. Ares et al. [17] studied the effect of aminomethoxy silane and olefin
block copolymer on rheomechanical and morphological behavior of fly ash-filled polypropylene
composites and concluded that the best rheological and mechanical properties were obtained
when the ratio of olefin block copolymer to fly ash particles was 1:2.
Pol y (Methyl Meth acrylate) (PM MA ) o ccu pi es an i nt erm edi ate p os it io n b et ween com mo di t y and
engineering polymers. It has excellent transparency and good tensile strength, and its resistance
to weathering and light, makes it an obvious replacement for glass in many applications. PMMA
has excellent resistance to inorganic acids and bases, aliphatic hydrocarbons, detergent solutions,
cleaners, foodstuffs, and beverages. A unique combination of the electrical properties together
with an excellent weather resistance has led to the extensive use of PMMA in outdoor electrical
applications. Weather and moisture have little effect on the electrical properties. The surface
resistivity is higher than that for most plastics. Hence numerous efforts have been undertaken to
use PMMA as matrix resins for composite by adding inorganic fillers such as Talc, Synthetic

368 M. B. Kulkarni and P. A. Mahanwar Vol.11, No.4
Sodium Aluminum Silicate [7], wollastonite [18] and glass fibers [19] which showed some
improvement in the tensile and impact properties in PMMA. Mica [20] and glass beads [21]
filled PMMA composites showed improvements in primary dispersion temperature, dynamic
modulus, compressive strength, and bending modulus. Addition of fumed silica [22] to PMMA
led to a decrease of flexural strength and an increase of Young’s modulus. Maspoch et al. [23]
reported that surface treatment plays an important role in improving filler matrix interfacial
adhesion in PMMA composites.
The objective of this work was to study the effects on the mechanical, thermal properties due to
addition of Fly ash ceospheres in the Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA). Also, the effect of
matrix modification with Methyl methacrylate– acrylonitrile -butadiene–styrene (MABS) on the
performance of PMMA- Fly ash cenospheres compositions was studied. The ultimate goal was
to develop a solution that would ensure the continued successful application of fly ash
cenospheres as filler in plastics i.e. environmentally friendly composites filled with Fly ash
cenosph eres.
2. EXPERIMENTAL
2.1 Materials used
Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA, SUM IPEX 8G11AA, LG Acr ylic Grade wit h MFI 10 gm /
10 min and density 1.19 gm / cm3) was used as the polymer matrix. Fly ash cenospheres (FAC)
were supplied by Envirotech Engineers, Pune, India; its specific gravity was 0.65 gm /cm3, and
average p arti cle si ze of 1 50 µm used as filler. The concentration of cenospheres was varied f rom
0 to 30 weight percent (wt %). Methyl methacrylate- acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (MABS,
Terlux®2802 TR, BASF Plastics) was used as the modifier.
2.2 Preparation of the Polymer Composites
Poly (methyl methacrylate), Fly ash cenospheres and Methyl methacrylate- acrylonitrile-
butadiene-styrene (MABS) were predried at 80+5 oC for 2 to 3 hours in an air circulating oven.

Vol.11, No .4 Effect of Methyl methacrylate– acrylonitrile -butadiene –s tyre ne 369
In binary systems, the compounding of Poly (methyl methacrylate) with various concentrations
of 0, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 weight percent (wt %) of the cenospheres (100 mesh) were carried out on
extruder. In this process, the temperature profiles in the barrel were: Zone 1- 170 0C, Zone 2-
210 0C, Zone 3-230 0C, and die temperature- 240 0C and the screw rotation rate of 60 rpm was
used and then extruded strands were then pelletized. The pellets were dried at 85+50C for 2 - 3
hours in an air-circulating oven. The resulting pellets were injection molded to produce the
Tensile, Flexural and Izod Impact test specimens of PMMA-cenospheres filled composites. All
the samples were conditioned for 24 hours prior to testing. The resulting samples were used for
the study of mechanical and thermal properties. In ternary systems, PMMA with various
concentrations of 0, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 weight percent (wt %) of the cenospheres (100 mesh) and
fixed percentage of MABS (5 wt %) were compounded using extruder. In this process, the
temperature profiles in the barrel were: Zone 1- 170 0C, Zone 2-210 0C, Zone 3-230 0C, and die
temperat u re- 240 o C and the screw rotation rate of 60 rpm was used and then extruded strands
were then pelletized. The resulting pellets were injection molded to produce the Tensile, Flexural
and Izod Impact test specimens of PMMA/MABS/cenospheres filled composites. All the
samples were conditioned for 24 hours prior to testing. The resulting samples were used for the
study of mechanical and thermal properties.
2.3 Testing
Tensile properties were measured using dumb-bell shaped specimens on a Tensile Testing
Machine, Model No STS-248, India, (Praj Laboratory, Kothrud, Pune) according to ASTM
D638M-91, procedure at 100% strain rate. The crosshead speed of 50mm/min was maintained
for testing. Flexural properties of all composites were measured at ambient conditions using
Flexural specimens on a Universal Tensile Testing Machine, Model No STS-248, India, (Praj
Laboratory, Kothrud, Pune) according to ASTM D790 test procedure. Izod impact strength
values w ere eval uated on a Zwick Izo d Impact test er (Digital ), Model No : S1 02, German y, (Praj
Laboratory, Kothrud, Pune) according to ASTM D256 test procedure using notch samples.
Thermal properties such as Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) and Vicat Softening Point
(VST) of all samples were measured b y using Davenport Vicat Softening Point Instrument, U.K.

370 M. B. Kulkarni and P. A. Mahanwar Vol.11, No.4
(Praj Laboratory, Kothrud, Pune) accordin g to ASTM D1525. For HDT the sample posit ion was
edgewis e, test span was 100 mm and surface stress wasm1820 KPa (264 Psi). The specimen was
dipped in silicon oil bath, which was heated at the rate of 120oC/hr. The oil bath was
continuously stirred and circulated to maintained uniform temperature. A load of 66 psi was
applied on the given sample through a pin (1 mm2) placed on t he s peci men . Th e tes t r ecorded th e
temperature at which the pin penetrated to depth of 1 mm. Each test was duplicated for other
sampl es .
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1 Tensile Properties
The results of tensile tests were shown in Table 1. In general Tensile Strength and Percentage
Elongation at Break values of the PMMA/cenospheres composites decreased slightly with
increasing cenospheres content, but it kept reasonably acceptable values if we bear in mind that
rigid filler was incorporated into pol ymer matrix. This also supports good wettability and surface
bonding of filler with hydrophilicity or polarity and polymer matrix with polar groups.
Percenta ge El ongati on at Br eak values rev eals a d imin utio n in m atrix ductilit y upto 20% loading
of the cenospheres added into the PMMA and at higher loadings of 30% showed drastic
diminution in matrix ductility. The values obtained are greater than half of the neat PMMA.
The addition of Methyl methacrylate- acrylonitrile-butadiene-styren e (MA BS) mak es the T ensil e
strength of the PMMA/MABS/cenospheres composites fall in all compositions except at 1:2
ratios of MABS/cenospheres as compared to PMMA/cenospheres composites, this being due to
low Tensile Strength of 48 MPa of the MABS copolymer. Nonetheless, MABS addition allows
slight decrease in Percentage Elongation at Break upto 1:4 ratio of MABS/cenospheres, although
the improvement depends on the ratio of MABS/cenospheres (1:2). The above values also
supports depending on the MABS amounts, leads to reduction in matrix stiffness as the MABS
goes into the filler-matrix interface and into the matrix. Figure 1 and Figure 2 represents the
variation in Tensile Strength and Percentage Elongation at Break of PMMA filled with
cenospheres (100 mesh) composites and PMMA/MABS/cenospheres composites as a function of
content of Fly ash cenospheres (wt %).

Vol.11, No .4 Effect of Methyl methacrylate– acrylonitrile -butadiene –s tyre ne 371
Table 1. Tensile Properties of PMMA filled with Cenospheres Composites.
Column (a): values with PMMA-cenospheres (100 mesh);
Column (b): values with PMMA/MABS/cenospheres (100 mesh).
Sample Composition
Tensile Strength
(MPa)
Percentage Elongation at
Break
(%)
a
b
a
b
PMMA (Unfilled) 0 wt%
68
65.33
10
10.15
PMMA+ Fly ash 10 wt%
57.79
58.29
8.32
8.84
PMMA+ Fly ash 15 wt%
58.8
51.18
8.19
7.93
PMMA+ Fly ash 20 wt%
57.71
51.84
7.67
7.67
PMMA+ Fly ash 25 wt%
52.73
49.99
7.19
7.03
PMMA+ Fly ash 30 wt%
52.16
46
6.82
6.37
Figure 1. Variation in Tensile Strength of PMMA/cenospheres (100 mesh)
(PMMAFA C10 0) ; PMMA /MAB S / ceno sp h ere s (PMMAMABSFAC100) composites against
Content of Fly ash cenospheres (wt%).

372 M. B. Kulkarni and P. A. Mahanwar Vol.11, No.4
Figure 2. Variation in Percentage Elongation at Break of PMMA/cenospheres (100 mesh)
(PMMAFAC100); PMMA/MABS/cenospheres (PMMAMABSFAC100) composites against
Content of Fly ash cenospheres (wt%).
Table 2, depicts the variation in Relative Yield Stress (σ c / σ p) & Relative Strain at Break
(εc/εp) of PMMA filled with cenospheres (100 mesh) composites and
PMMA/MABS/cenospheres composites. The dependence of the Relative Yield Stress (σc/σp)
(Ratio of the yield stress of the composite, subscript c, and of the non filled polymer, subscript p)
on the volume fraction of the filler ΦF was shown in Figure 3.
The yield stress data were compared using the following equation [24]:
3/2
1/ Fpc K
φσσ −=
(1)
where the parameter K indicates extent of adhesion between the filler and the polymer. For
spherical shaped fillers K equals 0 for perfect adhesion and 1.21 for no adhesion. The data for

Vol.11, No .4 Effect of Methyl methacrylate– acrylonitrile -butadiene –s tyre ne 373
unmodified PMMA/cenospheres (100 mesh) composites lies in between the curves with K==0-
0.6. While the data for PMMA/MABS/cenospheres composites lies closer to the curve with
K==0.6. This also supports a better wettability and surface bonding of filler with hydrophilicity
or polarity and polymer matrix with polar groups. This was also supported by the trend of
variation of Relative Strain at Break (ε c / ε p) of PMMA filled with cenospheres (100 mesh)
composites and PMMA/MABS/cenospheres composites as shown in Table 2.
Table 2. Values of Relative Yield Stress and Relative Strain at Break of PMMA filled with
Cenospheres Composites.
Column (a): values with PMMA-cenospheres (100 mesh);
Column (b): values with PMMA/MABS/cenospheres (100 mesh).
Sample Composition
Relative Yield Stress
(σ c / σ p)
Relative Strain at Break
(ε c / ε p)
a
b
a
b
PMMA (Unfilled) 0 wt%
1
1
1
1
PMMA+ Fly ash 10 wt%
0.85
0.89
0.83
0.87
PMMA+ Fly ash 15 wt%
0.87
0.78
0.82
0.78
PMMA+ Fly ash 20 wt%
0.85
0.79
0.77
0.76
PMMA+ Fly ash 25 wt%
0.78
0.77
0.72
0.69
PMMA+ Fly ash 30 wt%
0.77
0.70
0.68
0.63

374 M. B. Kulkarni and P. A. Mahanwar Vol.11, No.4
Figure 3. Variation in Relative Yield Stress (σ c / σ p) of PMMA/cenospheres (100 mesh)
(PMMAFAC100); PMMA/MABS/cenospheres (PMMAMABSFAC100) composites against
Volume Fraction of Cenospheres (ΦF).
Dotted curves represents predicted behavior according to equation (1) indicated.
3.2 Impact Strength
Table 3 showed the values of Izod Impact Strength and Relative Izod Impact Strength of PMMA
filled with cenospheres (100 mesh) composites and PMMA/MABS/cenospheres composites.
From the Table 3, the Relative Impact Strength (I c / I p) of PMMA filled with cenospheres (100
mesh) composites decreased with increasing filler content. While the impact perform ance of the
untreated cenospheres filled PMMA composites showed gradual reduction upto 10% and then
after at higher loading of cenospheres filled PMMA composites showed much drastic reduction
in the values. The trend in the variation of Relative Izod Impact Strength is also supported by

Vol.11, No .4 Effect of Methyl methacrylate– acrylonitrile -butadiene –s tyre ne 375
reduction in the elongation of the filled composite. While the impact performance of the
PMMA/MABS/cenospheres filled composites showed comparable values to untreated filled
compositions upto 15% and at higher loadings of MABS, the impact performance of the
PMMA/MABS/cenospheres filled composites showed much enhancement in the impact
performance as compared with unmodified PMMA/cenospheres (100 mesh) composites. The
above results also support that with addition of MABS; the copolymer and PMMA matrix may
behave li ke a single phas e which may helps to improve the dispersion of cenospheres in PMMA
based composites. For higher MABS amounts, the copolymer goes into the filler-matrix interface
and into the matrix, contributing to a reduction in matrix stiffness and not to an increase in
composite toughness. The rate of reduction in Impact properties also supports the role of addition
of MABS and the role of hollow nature of cenospheres. The trend in variation in Izod Impact
Strength of PMMA filled with cenospheres (100 mesh) composites and
PMMA/MABS/cenospheres composites against content of Fly ash cenospheres (wt %) was
presented in Figure 4.
Table 3. Values of Izod Impact Strength and Relative Izod Impact Strength of PMMA
filled with Cenospheres Composites.
Column (a): values with PMMA-cenospheres (100 mesh);
Column (b): values with PMMA/MABS/cenospheres (100 mesh).
Sample Composition
Izod Impact Strength
(J/m)
Relative Izod Impact Strength
(I c / I p)
a
b
a
b
PMMA (Unfilled) 0 wt%
42.2
39.03
1
1
PMMA+ Fly ash 10 wt%
35.85
22.69
0.85
0.58
PMMA+ Fly ash 15 wt%
24.05
20.42
0.57
0.52
PMMA+ Fly ash 20 wt%
22.24
27.68
0.53
0.71
PMMA+ Fly ash 25 wt%
17.25
17.70
0.41
0.45
PMMA+ Fly ash 30 wt%
14.07
19.51
0.33
0.50

376 M. B. Kulkarni and P. A. Mahanwar Vol.11, No.4
Figure 4. Variation in Izod Impact Strength of PMMA/cenospheres (100 mesh)
(PMMAFAC100); PMMA/MABS/cenospheres (PMMAMABSFAC100) composites against
Content of Cenospheres (wt%).
3.3 Flexural Strength Properties
Table 4 showed the values of Flexural Strength of PMMA filled with cenospheres (100 mesh)
composites and PMMA/MABS/cenospheres composites. From the Table 4, it was observed that
the values of Flexural Strength increased with inc rease in filler content upto 15-25% additi on of
cenospheres and then reduced marginally but remains higher than that of PMMA. This also
supports the improvement in chain stiffness due to good bonding of filler with hydrophilicity or
polarity and polymer matrix with polar groups and also supports the hollow spherical nature of
the fly ash cenospheres. With the addition of MABS, the values of Flexural Strength slightly
improved upto 15% and then reduced and the values remain slightly lower than filled with
cenospheres (100 mesh) composites. Nonetheless, MABS addition allows enhancing this
parameter, although the improvement depends on the ratio of MABS/cenospheres (1:2 to 1:3).
Figure 5 showed the variation in Flexural Strength of PMMA filled with cenospheres (100 mesh)

Vol.11, No .4 Effect of Methyl methacrylate– acrylonitrile -butadiene –s tyre ne 377
composites and PMMA/MABS/cenospheres composites as a function of content of Fly ash
cenospheres (wt %).
Table 4. Values of Flexural Strength of PMMA filled with Cenospheres Composites.
Column (a): values with PMMA-cenospheres (100 mesh);
Column (b): values with PMMA/MABS/cenospheres (100 mesh).
Sample Composition
Flexural Strength (MPa)
a
b
PMMA (Unfilled) 0 wt%
115.02
134.19
PMMA+ Fly ash 10 wt%
129.75
137.89
PMMA+ Fly ash 15 wt%
158.42
137.80
PMMA+ Fly ash 20 wt%
133.22
121.17
PMMA+ Fly ash 25 wt%
141.61
133.50
PMMA+ Fly ash 30 wt%
129.97
105.79
Figure 5. Variation in Flexural Strength of PMMA/cenospheres (100 mesh)
(PMMAFAC100); PMMA/MABS/cenospheres (PMMAMABSFAC100) composites against
Content of Cenospheres (wt%).

378 M. B. Kulkarni and P. A. Mahanwar Vol.11, No.4
3.4 Thermal Pro p erti es
Values of Vicat Softening Point (VST) (66 psi) and Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) (264
psi) were shown in Table 5. From the Table 5, it was observed that the values of VST and HDT
increased with increase in filler content of PMMA filled with cenospheres (100 mesh)
composites. This also supports the improvement in chain stiffness due to good bonding of filler
with hydrophilicity or polarity and polymer matrix with polar groups. With the addition of
MABS, the values of VST and HDT increased upt o 15% and then r educed and the v alues remain
slightly lower than PMMA filled with cenospheres (100 mesh) composites. Nonetheless, MABS
addition allows enhancing this parameter, although the improvement depends on the ratio of
MABS/cenospheres (1:2 to 1:3). But at higher loadings of fly ash, the stiffening effect of PMMA
was more in untreated filled composites than MABS modified PMMA filled composites. The
above trend also supports that for higher MABS amounts, the copolymer goes into the filler-
matrix interface and into the matrix, contributing to a reduction in matrix stiffness. The trend in
variation in Vicat Softening Point (66psi) and Heat Deflection Temperature (264 psi) of PMMA
filled with Cenospheres (100 mesh) composites and PMMA/MABS/cenospheres composites as a
function of content of Fly ash cenospheres (wt %) were presented in Figure 6 and Figure 7.
Table 5. Values of Vicat Softening Temperature and Heat Deflection Temperature of
PMMA filled with Cenospheres Composites.
Column (a): values with PMMA-cenospheres (100 mesh);
Column (b): values with PMMA/MABS/cenospheres (100 mesh).
Sample Composition
Vicat Softening Point or
Temperat ure (VST) ( O C)
Heat Deflection Temperature
(HDT) ( O C)
a
b
a
b
PMMA (Unfilled) 0 wt%
103
106
94
95
PMMA+ Fly ash 10 wt%
105
107
97
96
PMMA+ Fly ash 15 wt%
106
107
102
101
PMMA+ Fly ash 20 wt%
106
105
102
100
PMMA+ Fly ash 25 wt%
107
106
103
101
PMMA+ Fly ash 30 wt%
108
106
103
101

Vol.11, No .4 Effect of Methyl methacrylate– acrylonitrile -butadiene –s tyre ne 379
Figure 6. Variation in Vicat Softening Point of PMMA/cenospheres (100 mesh)
(PMMAFAC100); PMMA/MABS/cenospheres (PMMAMABSFAC100) composites against
Content of Cenospheres (wt%).
Figure 7. Variation in Heat Deflection Temperature of PMMA/cenospheres (100 mesh)
(PMMAFAC100); PMMA/MABS/cenospheres (PMMAMABSFAC100) composites against
Content of Cenospheres (wt%).

380 M. B. Kulkarni and P. A. Mahanwar Vol.11, No.4
4. CONCLUSIO NS
The principal conclusions obtained from the experimental results of new composites of PMMA
using different amounts of Fly ash cenospheres and a new Methyl methacrylate- acrylonitrile-
butadiene-styrene (MABS) are summarized as follows:
• The MABS can act as a modifier for the PMMA/Fly ash cenospheres filled polymeric
composites.
• Tensile Strength and Percentage Elongation at Break values of the PMMA/cenospheres
composites decreased slightly with increasing cenospheres content, but it kept reasonably
acceptable values if we bear in mind that rigid filler was incorporated into polymer matrix.
Nonetheless, MABS addition allows slight decrease in Tensile Strength, Percentage Elongation
at Break upto 1:4 ratio of MABS/cenospheres, alt hough th e improvement depends on the ratio of
MABS/cenospheres (1:2).
• The data for unmodified PMMA/cenospheres (100 mesh) composites lies in between the
curves with K==0-0.6 higher than that of non polar polymer composites. While the data for
PMMA/MABS/cenospheres composites lies closer to the curve with K==0.6.
• The Impact Strength of the PMMA/cenospheres filled composites decreased with
increasing filler content. While the impact performance of the PMMA/MABS/cenospheres filled
composites showed comparable values to PMMA/cenospheres filled compositions upto 15% and
at higher loadings of MABS, the impact performance of the PMMA/MABS/cenospheres filled
composites showed enhancement in the impact performance as compared with
PMMA/cenospheres (100 mesh) composites.
• The values of Flexural Strength improved upto 15-25% addition of cenospheres and the n
reduced marginally but higher than that of PMMA. With the addition of MABS the values of
Flexural Strength slightly improved upto 15% and then reduced and the values remain slightly
lower than PMMA/cenospheres filled composites.

Vol.11, No .4 Effect of Methyl methacrylate– acrylonitrile -butadiene –s tyre ne 381
• The values of VST and HDT increased with increase in filler content and the values for
PMMA/cenospheres filled compositions showed slight improvement than MABS modified
PMMA/cenospheres compositions. But at higher loadings of cenospheres, the stiffening effect of
PMMA was more in PMMA/cenospheres filled composites than MABS modified
PMMA/cenospheres filled composites.
• The optimum performances in mechanical and thermal properties were obtained when the
ratio of MABS to cenospheres was 1:2.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Authors sincerely thanks to the Honorable Director, Prof. (Dr.) Vishwanath D. Karad,
MAEER’s, Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune for his constant encouragement and
support. We express our sincere thanks to Board of College and University Development
(BCUD), University of Pune, for providing financial grant to carry out this work. Mr. Ashok M.
Bhagat, Proprietor of Praj Laboratory, Kothrud, Pune; Mr. Ravikiran G. Patil and Mr. P rasad V.
Mahajan, who in various ways contributed to the completion of this study.
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