Polyethylene and polypropylene nanocomposites based on a three component oligomerically-modified clay

Polyethylene and polypropylene nanocomposites were prepared using a novel oligomerically-modified clay that contains three components, styrene, lauryl acrylate and vinylbenzyl chloride. The nanocomposites were prepared by directly melt blending the polymers with the clay and they were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, to understand their morphology, and their thermal stability, flammability and mechanical properties were evaluated using thermogravi metric analysis, cone calorimetry and mechanical testing, respectively. The reduction in peak heat release rate is about 60% at 5% inorganic clay loading and 70% at 8% inorganic clay loading. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.