Preparation and flammability properties of polyethylene/clay nanocomposites by melt intercalation method from Na+ montmorillonite

Polyethylene (PE)/clay composites have been prepared by melt intercalation technique direct from Na+ montmorillonite (MMT) while using hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (C16) as reactive compatibilizer. Their degree of dispersion and intercalation spacings, as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), were typical of either a microcomposite or an intercalated nanocomposite, depending on the content of C16 in composites. Combustion experiments showed that the microcomposite bums in the same way as pure PE, whereas the heat release rate (HRR) is reduced by 32% when nanocomposite is with low silicate loading (5 wt.%) and C16 loading (4 wt.%). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.