Abstract
Composites based on high density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) clays were prepared by melt compounding followed by compression molding. The addition of clay as well as compatibilizer agent (maleic anhydride polyethylene (MAPE)) considerably improved the tensile properties of nanocomposites systems. The largest improvement in mechanical and thermal properties occurred at clay loading levels of 4% (2-8 wt %) with MAPE system. Interestingly, the increased in tensile properties also resulted in improve in thermal and barrier properties. Differential scanning calorimeter analysis (DSC) revealed that the barrier property of nanocomposite was influenced by the crystalline percentage of nanocomposite. Along with crystalline percentage, the crystallization temperature, Tc and melting temperature, Tm were also improved with OMMT and MAPE agent. The d-spacings of the clay in nanocomposites were monitored using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and the extent of delamination was examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The wide angle of XRD patterns showed the increased interplanar spacing, d of clay layers, indicating enhanced compatibility between polymer matrix and OMMT with the aid of MAPE agent. TEM photomicrographs illustrated the mixed intercalated and partial exfoliated structures of the nanocomposites with OMMT and MAPE agent.
Highlights
Polymer Layered Silicate (PLS) has replaced the traditional used of macro and micro fillers that have been used for years and successfully made breakthroughs in glass fiber reinforced polymers [1,2]
An increased of 33.79% and 21.52% in tensile strength and modulus were observed for MAPE system as compared to control one
This increased was believed due to accomplish a larger interlayer distance as the molecular structure of MAPE contains anhydride group highly attracted to organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) sheets and a longer non polar fragment attracted to the high density polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) matrix
Summary
Polymer Layered Silicate (PLS) has replaced the traditional used of macro and micro fillers that have been used for years and successfully made breakthroughs in glass fiber reinforced polymers [1,2]. Polymer nanocomposites which are constructed by dispersing a filler material into nanoparticles that form flat platelets are an ideal system for the gas barrier application These platelets are distributed into a polymer matrix, creating multiple parallel layers which force gases to flow through the polymer in a torturous path, forming complex barriers to gases and water vapor [5]. A lot of work has been done on elastomer blends, studies on the blends of EPDM and HDPE with the addition of clay as filler as well as its ability as gas barrier resistance are meager The development of this nanocomposite system is aimed to vary the existing research done in this area as well as being a future and important reference in enhancing barrier property of nanocomposite
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