Application of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and poly(methyl methacrylate) blends to optical material

Abstract

Physical properties such as light transmittance, deflection temperature, elongation, impact strength, and melting point have been studied for poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends in relation to applications to optical components. The blends were found to be transparent for PVDF concentrations up to 80 wt% due to the limited size of the spherulites of PVDF smaller than the visual wavelength. Maximum elongation is given at a PVDF concentration of 70 wt%. The deflection temperature is minimum at a PVDF concentration of 50%. From these results, it is concluded that the blend with 70% PVDF is most suitable for optical applications such as cladding material for optical fiber and birefringent film for super twisted nematic liquid crystal displays. © 1990, The Society of Polymer Science, Japan. All rights reserved.