TY - JOUR
AU - Kamal , , M.R.
AB -  A quantitative characterization of the structure of polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites is proposed. The methodology, based on TEM image analysis was applied to the quantitative characterization of PA6/montmorillonite nanocomposites produced by melt-compounding. The influence of the organic modification of the montmorillonite (MMT) on the quality of the dispersion of the clay particles was evaluated quantitatively. The efficiency of a specially designed extruder system was evaluated and compared to a reference nanocomposite produced by in-situ polymerization. Surface density, specific area, extent of exfoliation, particle dimensions, and aspect ratio of the dispersed particles were estimated and correlated with mechanical properties. INTRODUCTION The production of polyamide-6/clay (or layered silicate) nanocomposites has been successfully achieved by Usuki et al. (1993) and Kojima et al. (1993), using in-situ polymerization. Polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites (PLSN) are commercially attractive, because they exhibit a broad range of property enhancements, such as high stiffness and strength, outstanding barrier properties, improved thermal stability or reduced flammability. According to Alexandre and Dubois (2000) and LeBaron et al. ' Corresponding author Vol. 26, Nos. 8-9, 2006 (1999), these property enhancements are achieved using a minor loading of clay, typically around 5wt%, which renders PLSN easy to process, recyclable and inexpensive. The improved 
TI - Quantitative Characterization of Exfoliation in Polyamide-6/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites
JF - Journal of Polymer Engineering
DO - 10.1515/POLYENG.2006.26.8-9.757
DA - 2006-12-01
UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/de-gruyter/quantitative-characterization-of-exfoliation-in-polyamide-6-layered-uPjoehEhbu
SP - 757
VL - 26
IS - 
DP - DeepDyve
ER -