Relationship Betwen Structure and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of a Carbon Nanofiber Reinforced Elastomeric Nanocomposite
The tensile and dynamic mechanical properties of a nanocomposite, containing modified carbon nanofibers (MCNFs) homogenously dispersed in an elastomeric ethylene/propylene (EP) copolymer semicrystalline matrix (84.3 wt% P), have been correlated with the structure development. These properties were characterized by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction during stretching, dynamic mechanical analysis and X-ray analysis techniques over a wide temperature range. Upon sequential drawing, the tensile strength of the nanocomposite film was notably higher than that of the unfilled polymer even though both samples exhibited a similar amount of crystal fraction and the same degree of crystal orientation, revealing the effect of nanofiller reinforcement in the semicrystalline matrix. The mechanical spectra of the 10 wt% MCNF filled samples in both stretched and non-stretched states showed broadening of the elastic modulus at high temperatures, where the corresponding crystallinity index also decreased. It is conceivable that a significant fraction of chain orientation is induced in the vicinity of the nanofillers during stretching, and these stretched chains with reduced mobility significantly enhance the thermal mechanical properties.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) National Synchrotron Light Source
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Doe - Office Of Science
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-98CH10886
- OSTI ID:
- 930104
- Report Number(s):
- BNL--80742-2008-JA
- Journal Information:
- Polymer, Journal Name: Polymer Journal Issue: 19 Vol. 47; ISSN 0032-3861; ISSN POLMAG
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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