Preparation, fabrication and characterization of reinforced frame polymer/clay nanocomposites

Abstract

Development of (PP and PB-1)/clay/short fibers (PA, hollow PET fibers) hybrid composites for the purpose of obtaining a lightweight and recyclable material which achieves strong interfacial interactions between fillers and matrix, fibers dispersion and clay layer exfoliation in polymer matrix is the topic of this study. To enhance filler interactions within PP and PB-1 matrices, a functionalizing agent (FA) and a coupling agent were added to the Na-MMT and PA fibers respectively. An organic peroxide/ sulfur mixture and tetramethyl thiuram disulfide as an activator for sulfur, were used to functionalize Na-MMT; on the other hand, the PA fibers surface was treated using stearic acid. Morphological, rheological and mechanical properties of the different composites prepared were carried out, showed a synergistic effect of f-Na-MMT and short fibers (PA and PET) in reinforcing properties of polypropylene and polybutene-1 matrices.