Clay Loading and Dispersion Effects on the Rheological Properties of Unsaturated Polyester Nanocomposites :: essays research papers

Clay Loading and Dispersion Effects on the Rheological Properties of unsaturated Polyester NanocompositesThe objective of this work is to characterize the influence of frame loading and strewing effects on the rheological properties of unsaturated polyester composites. Toughened unsaturated polyester (UPE) composites were synthesized by the blending of delaminated clay with unsaturated polyester. Rheological behavior is shown to be potently influenced by clay loading and the extent of clay dispersion in the polymer matrix. Transition from liquid-like behavior to solid-like behavior shifts to significantly higher solids loading at higher shear rates which may be due to the alignment of the particles in the direction of flow at high shear rates. SEM micrographs are usaged to display the extent of intercalation and dispersion of the clay deep down the polymer matrix.INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND1.1 DefinitionPolymer/clay nanocomposites display a stir in composition and structure over a nanometer duration scale and have been shown to present considerable property enhancements relative to conventionally scaled composites. Layered silicates dispersed as a reinforcing phase in an engineering polymer matrix are one of the most important of such hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites 1. Polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites containing low levels of exfoliated clays, such as montmorillonite and vermiculite have a structure consisting of platelets with at least one dimension in the nanometer range. champion of the most important features of polymeric materials is the possibility of controlling their macroscopic sensible properties by tailored manipulation of their structures at a nanoscopic scale. To influence the interactions that regulate the mechanical properties of polymers, specific nanoscopic scale reinforcement is efficient and beneficial. For example, montmorillonite clay provides such reinforcement through the interaction of polymer chains with th e charged surfaced of clay lamellae 2.The use of organoclays as precursors to nanocomposite formation has been extended into several(a) polymer systems including epoxies, polyurethanes, polyimides, nitrile rubber, polyesters, polypropylene, polystyrene and polysiloxanes, among others. Even a variety of inorganic materials, such as glass fibers, talc, calcium carbonate, and clay minerals, have been successfully used as additives or reinforcements to improve the various properties of polymers 3-10.1.2 StructureThe optimal properties of nanocomposites arise as the clay nanolayers are uniformly dispersed (exfoliated) in the polymer matrix, as opposed to being aggregated or phase separated as tactoids or simply intercalated. As nanolayer exfoliation becomes achieved, there is a trend in the improvement in want properties that is manifested as an increase in tensile properties, enhancement of barrier properties, a decrease in solvent uptake, an increase in thermal constancy and flame retardance, among others 11-12.