Polyethylene/Clay Hybrid Composites: Preparation and Characterization

MARÍA FERNANDA HORST,; MARCELO D. FAILLA; LIDIA M. QUINZANI

Lima, Peru

Simposio; Simposio Latinoamericano de Polímeros, SLAP 2008; 2008

Polyethylene (PE) is at the present the most important plastic material in the world due to both, the diversity of applications and the large volume production. Nevertheless, and even though PE is a material that has been extensible and intensely studied, the search for new uses and applications is permanent. One way to reach these objectives is by mixing the polymer with other organic or inorganic systems. Particularly, one method that should improve properties like barrier, mechanical and wear is the mixing of PE with small amounts of nanometric particles. The nanocomposites based in polymer and inorganic clays (PNC) have attracted great interest from researchers and industry in the last twenty years.  These materials frequently exhibit enhanced properties with respect to those of the corresponding matrices. These PNC are mostly prepared by direct polymer melt intercalation.  The dispersion of the silicate layers is enhanced by adding a compatibilizer, such as PE functionalyzed with maleic anhydride (PEg), and by modifying the hydrophilic clay exchanging its metal cations with organophilic ones. In the present study, a commercial organophilic MMT was used to prepare PNC based on PE and PEg by melt compounding the three materials simultaneously. The purpose of the study is to analyze the relationship between the morphology of the PNC and their linear viscoelastic properties.