Polymer Engineering Faculty Research

Title

HDPE/clay Nanocomposites by Continuous Sonication Process: Mechanical and Rheological Study

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 2006

Abstract

High density polyethylene (HDPE)/organoclay (Cloisite-20A) nanocomposites of different concentrations of clay were prepared by a single screw extruder with the attached ultrasound of variable amplitude. The structure and morphology of nanocomposites were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that ultrasound enhanced the intercalation of HDPE into lattice layers of clay. Mechanical and rheological properties of nanocomposites were investigated as a function of clay concentration and ultrasound. Complex viscosity, storage and loss modulus of nanocomposites were increased after ultrasonic treatment. Mechanical properties such as Young's modulus, elongation %, yield stress, toughness and impact strength of ultrasonically treated nanocomposites increased significantly in comparison to untreated nanocomposites. Crystallization behavior of nanocomposites was also measured.

Volume

94

First Page

690

Last Page

691

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