High strength-toughness combination of melt intercalated nanoclay-reinforced thermoplastic olefins

We examine here the mechanical behavior and the micromechanism of fracture in impact tested neat and nanoclay-reinforced thermoplastic olefins, both of which have been processed under similar conditions. The reinforcement of thermoplastic olefins with nanoclay increases modulus and yields strength of the resulting nanocomposite and retains impact strength. The enhancement of modulus and yield strength is related to the reinforcement effect of nanoclay, while the retention of impact strength on reinforcement is attributed to the strong interaction between clay and polymer matrix. Both neat and clay-reinforced thermoplastic olefins are characterized by plastic deformation processes that involve ductile ploughing, fibrillation and voiding. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.