Thermal And Mechanical Behavior Of Chlorinated Polyethylene Nanocomposites

Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) nanocomposites prepared with natural and organicallytreated montmorillonite clay by solution intercalation method were investigated. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques showed the separation of organically-modidfied clay montmorillonite layers and indicated formation of exfoliated nanocomposites. This was supported by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) results , showing the interaction between the CPE matrix and the clay intercalants of Cloisite 30B and Cloisite15A (natural montmorillonite modified with quaternary ammonium salts.). Organically-treated montmorillonite clays were found to be better dispersed in CPE in comparison to natural montmorillonite clay. Mechanical testing showed enhanced tensile strength, Young’s modulus and storage modulus of chlorinated-polymers / organically -treated montmorillonite clay nanocomposites. Significant improvements in the above properties were obtained with Cloisite 15A nanoclay. The decomposition temperature, at which maximum degradation occurred, of the nanocomposite that contained 5 wt % cloisite 15A was higher (287°C) than that of neat CPE with the smallest weight loss rate. DSC results revealed that the same composition also absorbs more heat during the heating, indicating better thermal stability. Chlorinated polyethylene rubber nanocomposite can be a promising heat resistant polymeric material.