Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

In this study, a montmorillonite masterbatch (OMMT-MB) containing polystyrene and organo-montmorillonite was first prepared by extrusion processes. Subsequently, blending of polystyrene (PS) and montmorillonite masterbatch (OMMT-MB) was performed by the direct melt intercalation method using a twin-screw extruder followed by compression molding. The flexural and morphological properties of PS/OMMT-MB were characterized by flexural tests and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The flexural tests were carried out at two different testing speeds, i.e. 5 mm/min and 50 mm/min. The flexural modulus of PS increased significantly with the addition of OMMT. This is due to the reinforcement and stiffness of the OMMT-layered silicates. It is interesting to note that the flexural modulus of PS/OMMT-MB was higher than that of both PS and montmorillonite masterbatch (OMMT-MB). This indicates that the dispersion of OMMT in the PS was better and more homogeneous by using the montmorillonite masterbatch approach.

Keywords

polystyrene montmorillonite masterbatch blending.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Sinha Ray, S. and Okamoto, M. (2003). Polymer/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites: A Review from Preparation to Processing, Progress in Polymer Science, 28: 1539.

Qutubuddin, S. and Fu, X.A. (2002). In: M. Rosoff (Ed), Nanosurface Chemistry, p. 652. Dekker, New York.

Tjong, S.C. (2006). Structural and Mechanical Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites, Materials Science and Engineering R, 53: 73.

Alexandre, M. and Dubois, P. (2000). Polymer-layered Silicate Nanocomposites: Preparation, Properties and uses of a New Class of Materials , Material Science & Engineering., Reports: A Review Journal , 28: 22.

Fu, X.A. and Qutubuddin, S. (2000). Synthesis of Polystyrene-clay Nanocomposites, Materials Letters, 42: 12.

Uthirakumar, P. , Nahm, K.S. , Hahn ., Y.B. and Lee , Y.S. (2004). Preparation of Polystyrene/ Montmorillonite Nanocomposites using a New Radical Initiator-montmorillonite Hybrid via in situ Intercalative Polymerization , European Polymer Journal, 40: 2437.

Uthirakumar, P. , Song, M.K. , Nah , C.W. and Lee , Y.S. (2005). Preparation and Characterization of Exfoliated Polystyrene/Clay Nanocomposites using a Cationic Radical Initiator-MMT Hybrid, European Polymer Journal, 41: 211.

Zhong, Y. , Zhu, Z.Y. and Wang, S.Q. (2005). Synthesis and Rheological Properties of Polystyrene/Layered Silicate Nanocomposite, Polymer, 46: 3006.

Ding, C. , Guo, B.C. , He, H. , Jia, D.M. and Hong, H.Q. (2005). Preparation and Structure of Highly Confined Intercalated Polystyrene/Montmorillonite Nanocomposite via a Two-step Method, European Polymer Journal, 41: 1781.

10.

Matthews, G. (1982). Polymer Mixing Technology , p. 225, Applied Science Publishers, London.

11.

Shelley, J.S. , Mather, P.T. and DeVries, K.L. (2001). Reinforcement and Environmental Degradation of Nylon-6/Clay Nanocomposites , Polymer, 42: 5849.

12.

Chow, W.S. and Mohd Ishak, Z.A. (2007). Mechanical, Morphological and Rheological Properties of Polyamide 6/Organo-montmorillonite Nanocomposites, eXPRESS Polymer Letters, 1(2): 77.

Flexural Properties of Polystyrene/Organo-Montmorillonite Masterbatch Composites

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References