Mechanical properties of layered silicate/starch-polycaprolactone blends nanocomposites

CLAUDIO JAVIER PÉREZ; VERA ALVAREZ; IÑAKI MONDRAGÓN; ANALÍA VÁZQUEZ

POLYMER INTERNATIONAL

Wiley

Año: 2007 vol. 56 p. 686 - 693

0959-8103

The mechanical behavior of layered silicate/starch polycaprolactone blend nanocomposites was evaluated. Three different clays (Cloisite Na+, Cloisite 30B and Cloisite 10A) were used as reinforcement. Nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation followed by compression molding. These nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile testing. X-ray diffraction results showed that most of the clays were intercalated within the polymeric chains. In all cases, mechanical properties improved with clay incorporation and the improvement was better as the content was increased. The best properties were achieved with Cloisite 10A nanocomposites due to their greatest compatibility with the matrix. A mechanical model, which takes into account the effective parameters of the clay, was used in order to estimate the dispersion of clay within the polymer. The highest dispersion was obtained for Cloisite 10A, which is in accordance with the experimental mechanical properties. Although dynamical-mechanical properties improved with clay incorporation, the glass transition temperature was not affected.+, Cloisite 30B and Cloisite 10A) were used as reinforcement. Nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation followed by compression molding. These nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile testing. X-ray diffraction results showed that most of the clays were intercalated within the polymeric chains. In all cases, mechanical properties improved with clay incorporation and the improvement was better as the content was increased. The best properties were achieved with Cloisite 10A nanocomposites due to their greatest compatibility with the matrix. A mechanical model, which takes into account the effective parameters of the clay, was used in order to estimate the dispersion of clay within the polymer. The highest dispersion was obtained for Cloisite 10A, which is in accordance with the experimental mechanical properties. Although dynamical-mechanical properties improved with clay incorporation, the glass transition temperature was not affected.