Mechanical and hygrothermal aging study on polystyrene/organo-montmorillonite nanocomposites

Melt intercalation blending of polystyrene (PS)/organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) was prepared using the extrusion technique followed by compression molding. The loading of OMMT ranged from 2-10wt.%. Maleic-anhydride grafted poly(styrene-block-(ethylene-co-butadiene)-block-styrene) (SEBSgMAH) was added to PS/OMMT composites in order to improve the impact strength of the composites. The concentration of SEBSgMAH ranged from 5-15%. The mechanical properties of PS/OMMT were characterized using flexural and impact tests. The morphological properties of the composites were studied using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Intercalation of the OMMT layered silicates in the PS matrix was conformed by the XRD spectra. The incorporation of SEBSgMAH improved the flexural strength, flexural displacement, and impact strength of PS/OMMT significantly. The percentage of retention and recovery in impact strength of PS/OMMT nanocomposites after being subjected to hygrothermal aging were increased by the addition of SEBSgMAH.