PE/OMMT/EMA ternary nanocomposites: morphology and mechanical properties

VALERIA PETTARIN; VICTOR PITA; MARCOS LOPES DIAS; PATRICIA FRONTINI; FRANCISCO VALENZUELA DIAZ

Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Congreso; World Polymer Congress; 2006

Composites of polyethylene (PE) with organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) and a polyethylene ionomer (ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer, EMA) were prepared by melt compounding. Two grades of high-density polyethylene were used and two different Na+-MMT were modified in order to obtain OMMT. EMA was added with the aim of favor exfoliation. Several compositions were scanned. The extent of clay exfoliation in composites was examined by XRD and TEM. Mechanical properties were evaluated under static conditions to investigate the actual influence of the reinforcement on composites properties. Intercalated composites were obtained, and the addition of EMA did not improve exfoliation, contrary to literature data. Only slight reinforcement was achieved.