Mechanical properties and thermal stability of low-density polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride/montmorillonite nanocomposites

Abstract

Polymer layered silicate nanocomposites are very prevailing in both basic research and industrial development, among them montmorillonite (MMT) provide the most significant applied value. In this study, structures and properties of various organic/inorganic nanocomposites of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) containing MMT and LDPE grafted maleic anhydride/montmorillonite (LDPE-g-MA/MMT) were investigated. Mechanical properties and thermal stability of LDPE/MMT and LDPE-g-MA/MMT nanocomposites were examined. Samples of LDPE/MMT and LDPE-g-MA/MMT nanocomposites were fabricated with twin-screw extruder and injection molding machine in accordance with the standard test specimens. Furthermore, tensile, impact, bending, hardness, DSC, TGA, and SEM examinations were performed to establish the structure–properties relationships. The mechanical properties significantly improved when the proper amounts of MMT and MA-grafted materials were added to LDPE. This improvement in properties is mainly due to the compatibilizing effect of MA grafts.