UHMWPE/organoclay nanocomposites fabricated by melt intercalation under continuous elongational flow: Dispersion, thermal behaviors and mechanical properties

Abstract

The preparation of ultra‐high‐molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/organoclay nanocomposites by continuous elongational flow technique was investigated in a novel eccentric rotor extruder (ERE). The distribution and dispersion morphologies of organo‐modified montmorillonite (OMMT) layers were revealed and observed by ash determination, wide angle X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The thermal and thermal‐mechanical behaviors were characterized by differential scanning calorimeter, thermal gravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The mechanical performances was measured by tensile and impact test. The morphologies of the nanocomposites evidenced that the OMMT layers can be well intercalated or/and exfoliated by UHMWPE matrix, then the fabrication mechanism of intercalated and exfoliated OMMT structures under continuous elongational flow was discussed. The ideal dispersion of OMMT in UHMWPE matrix obviously improved the crystallinity and the mechanical properties at a certain concentration of OMMT loading, indicating that the lower OMMT addition can lead an effective strengthening and toughening for UHMWPE. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:547–554, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers