Dynamic mechanical measurements nanocomposites

The effect of polymer-filler interaction on solvent swelling and dynamic mechanical properties of the sol-gel-derived acrylic rubber (ACM)/silica, epoxi-dized natural rubber (ENR)/silica, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/silica hybrid nanocomposites was described by Bandyopadhyay et al. [27]. Theoretical delineation of the reinforcing mechanism of polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites has been attempted by some authors while studying the micromechanics of the intercalated or exfoliated PNCs [28-31]. Wu et al. [32] verified the modulus reinforcement of rubber/clay nanocomposites using composite theories based on Guth, Halpin-Tsai, and the modified Halpin-Tsai equations. On introduction of a modulus reduction factor (MRF) for the platelet-like fillers, the predicted moduli were found to be closer to the experimental measurements. 

The mechanical properties of the bulk PET and its nanocomposites were measured by tensile testing on injection-molded microtensile dogbones (ASTM-D638, Type IV) and by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) on injection-molded bars. 

The dynamic mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were carried out using the dynamic mechanical analyzer (Q800 TA instruments, New Jersey, USA) in tensile mode. The measurements were performed at constant frequency of 1 Hz with heating range from 35 to 180°C. The heating rate was 3°C/min in air. DMA run in duplicate. 

The dynamic mechanical properties of the PPgMA nanocomposites were measured in the temperature range -90-13 0°C at a constant frequency of 1 Hz. Note that the Tgs of Polybond series, PB3150, PB3200... 

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