Recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)/layered silicate nanocomposites: morphology and tensile mechanical properties

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 45; no. 8; pp. 2751 - 2759
• Main Authors: Pegoretti, A., Kolarik, J., Peroni, C., Migliaresi, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Nanocomposites; Poly(ethylene terephthalate); Polymer industry, paints, wood; Recycling; Technology of polymers; Nanocomposites; Recycling; Poly(ethylene terephthalate); Ethylene terephthalate polymer; Clay; Organic clay; Montmorillonite; Dispersion degree; Mechanical properties; Experimental study; Tensile stress; Lamellar structure; Creep curve; Morphology; Concentration effect; Nanocomposite; Recycled material
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2004.02.015

Various amounts (1, 3 and 5
wt%) of a non-modified natural montmorillonite clay (Cloisite
® Na
+) or of an ion-exchanged clay modified with quaternary ammonium salt (Cloisite
® 25A) were dispersed in a recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) matrix (rPET) by a melt intercalation process. Microphotographs of composite fracture surfaces bring evidence that particles of Cloisite
® 25A are much better dispersed in the rPET matrix than those of Cloisite
® Na
+. Moreover, WAXS measurements indicate that the lamellar periodicity of Cloisite
® 25A is increased in the composites, which evidences intercalation of rPET between silicate layers (lamellae) of the clay. In the case of Cloisite
® Na
+, a very small thickening of lamellae due to mixing with rPET indicates only minute intercalation.
Uniaxial tensile tests show that both clays increase the modulus of the rPET composites; more effective Cloisite
® 25A accounts for a 30% increase at loading of 5
wt%. Yield strength remains practically unaffected by the used fractions of the clays while tensile strength slightly decreases with the clay content; in parallel, strain at break dramatically drops. Tensile compliance of the composites is virtually independent of applied stress up to 26 MPa. Essential part of the compliance corresponds to the elastic time-independent component, while the viscoelastic component is low corresponding only to a few percent of the compliance even at relatively high stresses. The compliance of the composites is only slightly lower than that of the neat rPET, the reinforcing effect of Cloisite
® 25A being somewhat stronger. Both clays have beneficial effect on the dimensional stability of the composites since—in contrast to the neat rPET—the creep rate does not rise at long creep periods.