Durability and Mechanical Performance of PMMA/Stone Sludge Nanocomposites for Acrylic Solid Surface Applications.

Samah El-Bashir,Nouf Althumairi,Naser Alzayed

doi:10.3390/polym9110604

Samah El-Bashir, Nouf Althumairi + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9110604

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Journal: Polymers	Publication Date: Nov 12, 2017
Citations: 3	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: King Saud University

Abstract

Acrylic solid surface sheets were prepared by mixing different kinds of stone sludge fillers (SSF) in Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites. PMMA nanocomposite syrups were made using free radical polymerization of methylmethacrylate (MMA), then two kinds of nanofillers were added, namely, hydrophilic nanosilica and clay Halloysite nanotubules (HNTs). Acrylic solid surface sheets were manufactured by mixing the syrups with SSFs. The morphology of the produced sheets was studied using optical, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) that revealed the uniform distribution of stone sludge in the polymeric matrix. The study of the physical properties showed promising mechanical performance and durability of PMMA/SSF nanocomposites for acrylic solid surface applications.

Highlights

Polymer nanocomposites are hybrid materials based on polymeric matrices filled with nanoscaled inorganic molecules
The present study presented a new type of acrylic solid surface that is based on PMMA nanocomposite matrices filled with stone sludge fillers (SSF) obtained from the remains of natural stones such as marble, granite, and basalt
It is noted that granite particles are completely coated and homogeneously distributed with an excellent physical adhesion particles are completely coated and homogeneously distributed with an excellent physical adhesion between SSF and the polymer nanocomposite; similar images were obtained for marble and basalt between SSF and the polymer nanocomposite; similar images were obtained for marble and basalt fillers

Summary

Introduction

Polymer nanocomposites are hybrid materials based on polymeric matrices filled with nanoscaled inorganic molecules. In contrast to traditional fillers, the little size of the nanofillers leads to a dramatic decrease of the polymer free volume and subsequently improves the mechanical properties [5,6,7]. The innovated acrylic solid surfaces have overcome the disadvantages of natural stones such as color staining, water absorption, heavyweight, expensive cost, hard processing and poor resistance to weak acids [5,7,9]. These products have additional advantages over natural stones such as thermal and electrical insulation, non-porosity which prevents the growth of bacteria and mottling [6,10].

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