Study on mechanical properties, thermal stability and crystallization behavior of PET/MMT nanocomposites

PET/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared via melt-blending and its nano-dispersion morphology was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Its non-isothermal crystallization behavior was studied by DSC. It is found that the crystallization rate of PET nanocomposite was increased significantly. The Avrami equation parameters related to crystallization, such as n, Z(c) and t(1/2), were calculated and analyzed. The thermal property and mechanical property of the composite were studied. When the MMT content was 1%, the composite has a desired comprehensive property. At this composition, the thermal degradation onset temperature and the thermal deformation temperature of PET were increased by 12 and 35 degrees C, respectively, and the tensile strength of the PET was increased by 25% with slightly increase of the notched impact strength. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.