Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Polyethylene Terephthalate/Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (PET/EPDM) in the Presence of Nanoclay

Baifen Liu,Sajad Porzal,Peiman Valipour,Mohammad Mirjalili,Shirin Nourbakhsh

doi:10.37358/mp.20.3.5397

Abstract

This research deals with the mechanical properties, microstructure, and interrelations of triple nanocomposite based on PET/EPDM/Nanoclay. These properties were examined in different percentages of PET/EPDM blend with compatibilizer (Styrene-Ethylene/Butylene-Styrene)-G-(Maleic anhydrate) (SEBS-g-MAH). Results showed that the addition of 15% SEBS-g-MAH improved the toughness and impact strength of this nanocomposite. SEM micrographs indicated the most stable fuzzy microstructure in a 50/50 mixture of scattered phases of EPDM/SEBS-g-MAH. The effects of percentages of 1, 3, 5, 7 nanoclay Cloisite 30B (C30B) on the improvement of the properties were evaluated. With the addition of nano clay, the toughness and impact strength was reduced. Thermal destruction of nanoclay in processing temperature led to the decreasing dispersion of clay plates in the matrix and a reduction in the distances of nano clay plates in the composite compared to pure nano clay. XRD and TEM analysis was used to demonstrate the results. By adding 1% of nanoclay to the optimal sample, maximum stiffness, and Impact strength, among other nanocomposites, was achieved.

Highlights

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a synthetic polymer with unique mechanical and chemical properties such as high strength and modulus, and high processability characteristics such as low permeability to solvents and gases, electrical properties, and resistance to tearing and chemicals [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
The present study examined the significant factors on the formation and control of morphology and their relationship with the mechanical properties of triple nanocomposites based on PET/EPDM/Nanoclay using SEBSg-MAH as compatibilizer
X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) results reveal that PET and EPDM chains are not permeable to layers of Cloisite 30B (C30B) particles and do not have the compatibility of creating an interlayer structure for these particles; the smaller layer distance for C30B particles can be attributed to the lower compatibility of PET and EPDM chains to C30B particles

Summary

Introduction

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a synthetic polymer with unique mechanical and chemical properties such as high strength and modulus, and high processability characteristics such as low permeability to solvents and gases, electrical properties, and resistance to tearing and chemicals [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. This substance has certain disadvantages, such as sensitivity to cracks [8] and low strength against atmospheric factors. Since PET/EPDM alloy is thermodynamically incommensurable and forms a multi-phase morphology after alloying [22, 23], a compatibilizer is required to obtain optimal properties and to control morphology and cohesion between the phases [24]

Methods

Results

Conclusion