Shear Stability and Thickening Properties of Homo and Copolymer of Methyl Methacrylate

The degradation stability towards mechanical shearing (shear stability) of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and its copolymer with styrene at different level of concentrations have been investigated. With a view to understanding the relationship between the thickening performance (percent increase in viscosity of the solvent in the additive of the unit weight of polymers) and shear stability of the polymer, the thickening abilities of the polymer were also determined and compared. Pour point depressant properties of the copolymers in comparison to the homopolymer were also tested in different base stocks.