Influence of Nanoclay on Morphology, Mechanical Properties and Deformation Mechanism of Polystyrene

Abstract

Polystyrene/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation method in this research. Morphology, tensile and impact properties and deformation mechanism of the samples were studied. To study the structure of nanocomposites, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques are utilized. The deformation mechanisms of different samples were examined via reflected and transmitted optical microscopy. The results reveal that incorporation of organoclay affects structure, mechanical properties and deformation mechanism of nanocomposite. Introduction of organoclay can facilitate initiation and growth of crazing mechanism in polystyrene at both conditions of loadings, i.e., the tensile loading in which crazing occurs in the bulk of the polymer and 3PB testing in which crazing happens at the notch tip of the samples.