Synthesis of an acrylate elastomer with UV stabilization and its application in polyoxymethylene

In this study, an acrylate elastomer with light‐stable functional groups was synthesized by methyl methacrylate (MMA), butyl acrylate (BA), and a polymerizable UV stabilizer 2‐hydroxy‐4‐(3‐methacryloxy‐2‐hydroxylproroxy) benzophenone (BPMA) via emulsion polymerization, and the product was poly[methyl methacrylate‐co‐butyl acrylate‐co‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐(3‐methacryloxy‐2‐hydroxylproroxy) benzophenone] [poly(MMA‐co‐BA‐co‐BPMA)]. The composition and characteristics of poly (MMA‐co‐BA‐co‐BPMA) were determined by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR), and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–vis). Further, the obtained poly(MMA‐co‐BA‐co‐BPMA) was blended with polyoxymethylene (POM) to modify its photostabilization, as well as the mechanical properties of POM composite were tested before and after UV irradiation. The result showed that poly(MMA‐co‐BA‐co‐BPMA) can be dispersed well in the POM matrix, which could play a role of improving compatibility with and toughening for POM, and its light‐stable functional groups could increase the UV resistance of POM composite. Mechanical properties of modified POM were kept well with higher impact strength and elongation at break than pure POM after UV irradiation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012