• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.152-158
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• 2003

Two commercial processing methods have been used to produce poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) marbles; cell molding method and belt molding method. Cell molding method has low productivity and belt molding method has high equipment cost as well as high production cost. A new production method far PMMA marbles using plastic films as molds was studied in this investigation to overcome the shortcomings of cell molding and belt molding method. As plastic film molds for producing PMMA marbles, poly(vinyl acetate) film was used. A methyl methacrylate compound, which has good processability in film molding and shows good mechanical properties after curing, was prepared and used to produce PMMA marbles by film molding method. Properties of the PMMA marbles produced by film molding method were similar to, or higher than, those of commercial PMMA marbles produced by cell molding and belt molding method respectively. The film molding method is considered to have high possibility in commercial application.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.251-261
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• 2012

The nanocomposites containing graphene oxide flakes were prepared in order to improve the mechanical properties of artificial marbles based on poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) matrix. Graphene oxide flakes were prepared from graphite by oxidation with Hummers method followed by exfoliation with thermal treatment. Surface of graphene oxide flakes were modified with oxyfluorination in various oxygene:fluorine compositions to improve the interfacial compatibility. The nanocomposites containing graphenes modified with oxyfluorination in the oxygen content of 50% and higher showed the significant increase in flexural strength, flexural modulus, Rockwell hardness, Barcol hardness, and Izod impact strength. The morphology of fractured surface showed the improved interfacial adhesion between PMMA matrix and the graphenes which were properly treated with oxyfluorination. The mechanical properties of nanocomposite were deteriorated by increasing the content of graphene above 0.07 phr due to the nonuniform dispersion of graphenes.