Clay-epoxy nanocomposites: Relationships between reinforcement properties and the extent of clay layer exfoliation
- Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States)
New epoxy-clay nanocomposites with sub-ambient glass transition temperatures have been prepared by the reaction of epoxy resin and a polyetheramine curing agent in the presence of long chain (carbon number {>=}10) alkylammonium ion exchanged forms of montmorillonite clays. Owing to the expansion of the clay galleries upon polymer network formation, the cured composites contain nanoscopic clay plates dispersed in a rubbery polymer matrix. Both the tensile strength and the modulus of the polymer-clay nanocomposite increased with increasing clay content. Shorter chain (carbon number <10) alkylammonium ion exchanged montmorillonite was exfoliated by using hot-mold-casting methods. The structure and properties of the fully exfoliated nanocomposites were compared with those of the partially exfoliated epoxy-clay nanocomposites. Short chain alkylammonium exchanged clays are preferred as reinforcing agents if a fully exfoliated nanocomposite can be obtained.
- OSTI ID:
- 215205
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950801--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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