Effect of organoclay on the thermal stability, mechanical strength, and surface wettability of injection‐molded ABS–clay nanocomposite materials prepared by melt intercalation

Abstract

AbstractIn this article, a series of polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials consisted of commercial thermoplastic ABS matrix and dispersing inorganic organoclay platelets were successfully prepared by melt intercalation through the twin‐roller mixer. The as‐prepared materials in the form of pellet were then shaped by injection‐molding machine and the as‐molded specimens were subsequently examined by chemical characterizations, through Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Effect of the organoclay on thermal stability, mechanical strength, and surface wettability of PCN materials, in both the form of standard dumbbell shape and pellet, was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile test, hardness test, and contact‐angle measurements, respectively. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99; 1576–1582, 2006