Preparation and properties of a new thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV)/organoclay nanocomposite using maleic anhydride functionalized polypropylene as a compatibilizer

A new thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) /organoclay nanocomposite was prepared using maleic anhydride functionalized polypropylene (PP) as a compatibilizer. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope indicated the intercalation of polymer chains inside the clay layer. The tensile modulus of the only 5 wt.% clay-based nanocomposite is much higher than that of the 20 wt.% talc-based microcomposite. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed that the glass transition temperature of the ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer phase of the nanocomposite remains the same, whereas that of PP phase is increased compared to the pristine counterpart of the nanocomposite. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.