Surface segregation during injection molding of polycarbonate/poly(methyl methacrylate) blend

We investigated the distribution of the constituent polymers of an injection-molded product comprising a miscible blend of polycarbonate (PC) and low-molecular-weight poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). We found that PMMA became localized at the surface without affecting the transparency of the product. As a result, the surface hardness was effectively enhanced by a small amount of PMMA. This technique can be used to produce an ideal plastic glass that has high transparency, mechanical toughness, and high surface hardness