Poly(methyl methacrylate)–cellulose nitrate copolymers. II. Physical and mechanical properties

Poly(methyl methacrylate)–cellulose nitrate copolymers were prepared by bulk polymerization using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. Cellulose nitrates of two different nitrogen contents (11.4 and 12.2%) were used. The prepared copolymers were γ‐irradiated for specified periods of up to 11.83 Mrad. Their physical and mechanical properties were measured before and after irradiation. The title copolymers showed lower modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break than poly(methyl methacrylate) itself, but they showed better hardness and abrasion. Irradiation to up to 6.57 Mrad improved the modulus of the copolymers. Hardness and abrasion were improved by increasing cellulose nitrate content. The prepared copolymers that contained cellulose nitrate of 11.4% nitrogen showed secondary transition points. The increase of cellulose nitrate concentration shifted both first and second transition points to relatively higher values.