Morphological and thermal properties of ABS/montmorillonite nanocomposites using two different ABS polymers and four different montmorillonite clays

ABS/Clay nanocomposites were prepared using two ABS with different Acrylonitrile (AN) contents and four montmorillonite clays; a natural clay (CNa+) and three modified clays, Cloisites 10A, 20A, and 30B. The composites were prepared in a twin-screw extruder. Results were analyzed considering the effect of clay and ABS type, on the clay dispersion, intercalation and exfoliation, as well as on the storage modulus and thermal stability of the nanocomposites. XRD and TEM confirm that when using an ABS with higher AN content (ABS2), a better dispersion and intercalation-exfoliation can be obtained. Cloisites 20A and 30B, respectively the one with greater initial intergallery spacing, but lower polarity and with smaller intergallery spacing but greater polarity, produce the ABS nanocomposites with the greater intergallery spacing. Both ABS polymers have similar storage modulus and T-g and in both cases, the modulus increases with the 4 wt % clay. This increase is greater with the modified clays and slightly greater with the ABS2. T-g, from tan delta, increases very little with the 4 wt % clay, but again, this is slightly greater with ABS2. TGA and flammability tests show that the dispersed clay enhances the thermal stability and that the ABS with higher AN content produces a greater increase in fire retardancy. Tests also show that the better thermal stability and fire retardancy is obtained with the Cloisites 20A or 30B. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.