Rubber nanocomposites epoxy resins

This technique has found the following applications in addition to those discussed in Sections 10.1 (resin cure studies on phenol urethane compositions) [65], 12.2 (photopolymer studies [66-68]), and 13.3 (phase transitions in PE) [66], Chapter 15 (viscoelastic and rheological properties), and Section 16.4 (heat deflection temperatures) epoxy resin-amine system [67], cured acrylate-terminated unsaturated copolymers [68], PE and PP foam [69], ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers [70], natural rubbers [71, 72], polyester-based clear coat resins [73], polyvinyl esters and unsaturated polyester resins [74], polyimide-clay nanocomposites [75], polyether sulfone-styrene-acrylonitrile, PS-polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) blends and PS-polytetrafluoroethylene PMMA copolymers [76], cyanate ester resin-carbon fibre composites [77], polycyanate epoxy resins [78], and styrenic copolymers [79]. 

Althongh nanocomposite matrix materials may be metals and ceramics, the most common matrices are polymers. For these polymer nanocomposites, a large number of thermoplastic, thermosetting, and elastomeric matrices are used, including epoxy resins, polynrethanes, polypropylene, polycarbonate, poly(ethylene terephthalate), silicone resins, poly(methyl methacrylate), polyamides (nylons), poly(vinylidene chloride), ethylene vinyl alcohol, butyl rubber, and natural rubber. 

This book covers both fundamental and applied research associated with polymer-based nanocomposites, and presents possible directions for further development of high performanee nanocomposites. It has two main parts. Part I has 12 chapters which are entirely dedicated to those polymer nanocomposites containing layered silicates (clay) as an additive. Many thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers are included, such as polyamide (Chapter 1), polypropylene (Chapter 4), polystyrene (Chapter 5), poly(butylene terephthalate) (Chapter 9), poly(ethyl acrylate) (Chapter 6), epoxy resin (Chapter 2), biodegradable polymers (Chapter 3), water soluble polymers (Chapter 8), acrylate photopolymers (Chapter 7) and rubbers (Chapter 12). In addition to synthesis and structural characterisation of polymer/clay nanocomposites, their unique physical properties like flame retardancy (Chapter 10) and gas/liquid barrier (Chapter 11) properties are also discussed. Furthermore, the crystallisation behaviour of polymer/clay nanocomposites and the significance of chemical compatibility between a polymer and clay in affecting clay dispersion are also considered. 

Much work has been reported on studying the structure of thermoset resins via SAXS, especially focussing on interpenetrating network polymers (IPNs), thermoset nanocomposites, rubber-modified thermosets and thermoset-thermoplastic blends. Most recently Guo et al, (2003) have examined the use of SAXS to monitor the nanostructure and crystalline phase structure of epoxy-poly(ethylene-ethylene oxide) thermoset-thermoplastic blends. This work proposes novel controlled crystallization due to nanoscale confinements. 

In this article, recent developments in the formation and properties of epoxy layered silicate nanocomposites are reviewed. The effect of processing conditions on cure chemistry and morphology is examined, and their relationship to a broad range of material properties elucidated. An understanding of the intercalation mechanism and subsequent influences on nanocomposite formation is emphasized. Recent work involving the structure and properties of ternary, thermosetting nanocomposite systems which incorporate resin, layered silicates and an additional phase (fibre, thermoplastic or rubber) are also discussed, and future research directions in this highly active area are canvassed. 

Gilman et al. found similar reductions in the PHRR of clay nanocomposites. They prepared 6 wt% intercalated nanocomposites with Cloisite 15A dispersed in a nitrile rubber-modified bisphenol A epoxy-based vinyl ester (mod-bis-A) or a combination of bisphenol A and novolac epoxy-based vinyl ester (bis-A/novolac). The PHRR was reduced by 25 and 39% for mod-bis-A and bis-A/novolac, respectively. The clay promoted charring in fact, no residue was obtained for the neat resins, while in the nanocomposites the residue yields were 8 wt% (mod-bis-A) or 9 wt% (bis-A/novolac). The heat of combustion, specific extinction area, and carbon monoxide yields were unchanged. 

In the last twenty years, many polymers have been used to make polymer nanocomposites. Thermoplastic polymers include nylon, polyaniline (PANI), " poly(s-caprolactone), polycarbonate (PC), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyethylene (PE), poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA), polyisoprene (PI), polylactide (PLA), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), " polypropylene (PP), polypyrrole (PPy)," polystyrene (ps)/ i i7,27,30,49-64 poiy inyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and thermosets include Bakelite, butadiene rubber, epoxy,polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyurethane (PU), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and unsaturated polyester resin. 

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