Mondragón M., Roblero Y.S., Sánchez M.E., Zendejas B.E.
ESIME-IPN Unidad Azcapotzalco, MX
Keywords: elongation, halloysite nanotubes, PVC
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/ halloysite nanotubes (HNT) nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending of PVC with HNT. PVC masterbatch powders were first hand blended with 1, 3, 5 and 8% w/w of HNT and then melt-mixed with a two-roller mill. Nanocomposites were compression-molded to produce standardized samples for tensile and impact tests. Also, the internal structure of specimens was examined by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Both Izod impact and tensile strength of nanocomposites filled with HNT were similar to those of unfilled PVC (Fig. 1). However, stiffness was reduced due to the addition of HNT to PVC and elongation was prominently improved at 3 and 5% HNT (Fig. 2). Elongation improvement was attributed to HNT orientation, as shown in TEM micrographs (Fig. 3). Similar elongation behavior has been reported for polymers filled with other nanofillers, specifically montmorillonite type clays, due to platelet orientation and chain slippage [1]. The decrease in stiffness seemed to be an interesting side effect.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Nanotechnology 2009: Life Sciences, Medicine, Diagnostics, Bio Materials and Composites
Published: May 3, 2009
Pages: 482 - 484
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Personal & Home Care, Food & Agriculture
Topics: Advanced Materials for Engineering Applications, Personal & Home Care, Food & Agriculture
ISBN: 978-1-4398-1783-4