Clay-polymer nanocomposites impact properties

The impact strength of clay-polymer nanocomposites either increases, decreases or remains unaltered by the nano-clay incorporation. The impact strength is not altered much by the presence of nano-clay, as reported elsewhere [21]. A special co-intercalation type of organoclay was used. In another study, an improvement in impact property is noticed while incorporating nano-clay in PP matrix [58]. The Izod impact strength of PP and CPN is shovm in Figure 9.37. 

Polycaprolactone can increase the tensile strength and impact strength but reduce the ultimate elongation, tensile modulus, and shrinkage of the thermoplastic starch (TPS) polymer (Avemous et al. 2000). Montmorillonite clay can improve the properties of TPS and create a biobased nanocomposite (Bordes et al. 2009 Aouada et al. 2011). 

Nanocomposites based on polymer-clay systems are of considerable interest for the development of new stmctural and functional materials. Recently, there has been much research into polymer/day nanocomposites such as epoxy, acrylic,polystyrene, and polyamide-6, owing to their unique and improved properties. For instance, compared to polyamide-6, polyamide-6/clay nanocomposites at 5wt.% day loading levd had the heat distortion temperature 87 °C higher. Also the tensile strength and tensile modulus were 49% and 68% higher, while the impact strength was almost unchanged. ... 

---