Influence of compatibiliser blends on mechanical and thermal properties of polymer–clay nanocomposites

Abstract The effects of compatibiliser molecular weight, temperature of the first mixing zone of the extruder and nanoclay loading on the mechanical and thermal properties of polymer–clay nanocomposites (PCNs) were investigated. It was found that the molecular weight of the compatibiliser, the temperature of the first mixing zone of the extruder and the nanoclay content have significant effects on the mechanical and thermal properties of the polyethylene–clay nanocomposites. The blending of the high and low molecular weight compatibilisers allowed a more efficient interface between the nanoclay and the polymer matrix. Coupling a more efficient bonding with the high shear in the first mixing zone of the extruder at a low temperature produced an intercalated/exfoliated nanoclay filler resulting in enhanced mechanical properties of the PCNs.

[1]  Soojin Park,et al.  Surface modification of montmorillonite on surface Acid-base characteristics of clay and thermal stability of epoxy/clay nanocomposites. , 2002, Journal of colloid and interface science.

[2]  D. R. Paul,et al.  Nanocomposites formed from linear low density polyethylene and organoclays , 2004 .

[3]  S. D. Hudson,et al.  Morphology of polymer/silicate nanocomposites High density polyethylene and a nitrile copolymer , 1998 .

[4]  G. G. Stokes.  "J." , 1890, The New Yale Book of Quotations.

[5]  P. Maiti,et al.  Influence of Crystallization on Intercalation, Morphology, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Clay Nanocomposites , 2002 .

[6]  N. Sato,et al.  Nylon 6/Na–montmorillonite nanocomposites prepared by compounding Nylon 6 with Na–montmorillonite slurry , 2003 .

[7]  Makoto Kato,et al.  Polyolefin-clay hybrids based on modified polyolefins and organophilic clay , 2000 .

[8]  A. Usuki,et al.  Silicate layer exfoliation in polyolefin/clay nanocomposites based on maleic anhydride modified polyolefins and organophilic clay , 2004 .

[9]  Andrew G. Glen,et al.  APPL , 2001 .

[10]  Chinmay A. Deshmane,et al.  Nanoparticle effects on spherulitic structure and phase formation in polypropylene crystallized at moderately elevated pressures : The influence on fracture resistance , 2008 .

[11]  R. Kosfeld,et al.  The relationship between the physico‐mechanical properties and the filler concentration in the HD polyethylene‐dispersed filler system , 1991 .

[12]  C. Koo,et al.  Synthesis and characterization of maleated polyethylene/clay nanocomposites , 2001 .

[13]  A. Okada,et al.  Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene−Clay Hybrids , 1997 .

[14]  Thomas J. Pinnavaia,et al.  Polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites: an overview , 1999 .

[15]  Joan Schweikart,et al.  An Introduction to Materials Engineering and Science for Chemical and Materials Engineers , 2004 .

[16]  A. Okada,et al.  Preparation and mechanical properties of polypropylene-clay hybrids using a maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene oligomer , 1998 .

[17]  D. Kee,et al.  Enhancement of wood/polyethylene composites via compatibilization and incorporation of organoclay particles , 2007 .

[18]  M. Jhon,et al.  Rheology of Poly(ethylene oxide)/Organoclay Nanocomposites , 2001 .

[19]  D. Kee,et al.  Morphology and properties of layered silicate‐polyethylene nanocomposite blown films , 2005 .

[20]  R. Misra,et al.  On significant retention of impact strength in clay–reinforced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites , 2006 .

[21]  A. Lele,et al.  Effect of clay orientation on the tensile modulus of polypropylene–nanoclay composites , 2004 .

[22]  R. Misra,et al.  Impact fracture behavior of clay–reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites , 2006 .

[23]  Dustin W. Janes,et al.  Mechanical and oxygen barrier properties of organoclay‐polyethylene nanocomposite films , 2007 .

[24]  Makoto Kato,et al.  Preparation and properties of polyethylene‐clay hybrids , 2003 .

[25]  Chinmay A. Deshmane,et al.  On striking variation in impact toughness of polyethylene–clay and polypropylene–clay nanocomposite systems: The effect of clay–polymer interaction , 2007 .

[26]  R. Misra,et al.  Nanoparticle effects during pressure-induced crystallization of polypropylene , 2008 .

[27]  Kevin Barraclough,et al.  I and i , 2001, BMJ : British Medical Journal.

[28]  Makoto Kato,et al.  Preparation and mechanical properties of polypropylene–clay hybrids based on modified polypropylene and organophilic clay , 2000 .