A Linear Relationship between the Mechanical, Thermal and Gas Barrier Properties of MAPE Modified Rubber Toughened Nanocomposites

Abstract

Composites based on high density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) clays were prepared by melt compounding followed by compression molding. The addition of clay as well as compatibilizer agent (maleic anhydride polyethylene (MAPE)) considerably improved the tensile properties of nanocomposites systems. The largest improvement in mechanical and thermal properties occurred at clay loading levels of 4% (2-8 wt %) with MAPE system. Interestingly, the increased in tensile properties also resulted in improve in thermal and barrier properties. Differential scanning calorimeter analysis (DSC) revealed that the barrier property of nanocomposite was influenced by the crystalline percentage of nanocomposite. Along with crystalline percentage, the crystallization temperature, T_c and melting temperature, T_m were also improved with OMMT and MAPE agent. The d-spacings of the clay in nanocomposites were monitored using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and the extent of delamination was examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The wide angle of XRD patterns showed the increased interplanar spacing, d of clay layers, indicating enhanced compatibility between polymer matrix and OMMT with the aid of MAPE agent. TEM photomicrographs illustrated the mixed intercalated and partial exfoliated structures of the nanocomposites with OMMT and MAPE agent.