Investigation of interfacial modification for flame retardant ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer/alumina trihydrate nanocomposites

Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/alumina trihydrate (ATH) nanocomposites were prepared by melt-blending. Two kinds of interfacial modifiers were used in this research, a titanate coupling agent and maleated ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (MEVA), which acted as a compatibiliser. The effects of modifiers on the properties of EVA nanocomposites were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, tensile and combustion tests. The dispersion and adhesion patterns of the ATH nano-particles in EVA matrix were characterized through Molau solution test, TEM and SEM. The experimental results demonstrated that the use of untreated ATH could clearly decrease the tensile properties of EVA composites. It was found that the combined addition of the two kinds of interfacial modifiers led to a dramatic increase in tensile and flame retardant properties of the nanocomposites. Also the thermal stability of this system, in terms of the thermal degradation test, was enhanced. These effects would be diminished if only one modifier was used. The improvement in the properties of interfacial modified EVA/ATH nanocomposites is mostly attributed to a better dispersion of surface modified filler and a strong adhesion between the filler and matrix. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.