Creep behavior of poly styrene/fluorohectorite micro- and nanocomposites

Pristine FH is incorporated into a PS matrix by melt blending with and without latex precompounding of PS and FH. Direct melt blending results in microcomposites, whereas the latex-mediated (masterbatch) technique results in PS/FH nanocomposites. The tensile creep response of the micro- and nanocomposites are determined in short-term creep tests. The resistance to creep is improved with increasing dispersion of FH in the PS matrix. Master curves (creep tests performed in the temperature range between 5 and 45 degrees C, show that the FH reinforcement affects mostly the initial creep compliance (interphase effect). On the other hand, the stable creep is matrix (bulk) dominated. It is established that the Williams-Landel-Ferry equation is fairly applicable to the creep results.