Abstract
Ethylene–methyl acrylate copolymer and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were melt processed in order to determine the structure–property relationship of the resulting nanocomposites. The effect of MWNT loading on the thermomechanical and rheological properties of the nanocomposites is systematically investigated. Morphological characteristics these reinforced were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry studies showed that the MWNTs affect the crystallisation process. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that the storage modulus of the composites was significantly increased particularly at high temperatures. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the MWNTs stabilise the ethylene–methyl acrylate matrix. The influence of concentration of filler was also realised by a frequency sweep experiment. Storage modulus (in dynamic shear) value increases especially at higher frequency levels due to increased polymer–filler interactions. Both the unfilled and filled composites exhibit rheological behaviour of non-Newtonian fluids. The dynamic and steady shear rheological properties register a good correlation in regard to the viscous versus elastic response of such systems.
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