Effect of organoclay platelets on morphology and properties of LLDPE/EMA blends

Blends of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and ethylene-co-methyl acrylate (EMA) and their nanocomposites with two types of modified montmorillonite (organoclay) were explored in order to achieve an improved balance between stiffness and toughness. The nanocomposites were prepared in a HAAKE RHEOMIX at three different mixing sequences. The compression molded nanocomposites were utilized to evaluate the morphology and the properties like mechanical, dynamic mechanical and thermal. The results reveal that the morphology and the properties of the nanocomposites are dependent on the blending sequence as well as the type of nanoclay used. The addition of organoclay slightly increases the tensile modulus for all the nanocomposites. On the other hand, a drastic improvement of the impact strength was observed when the organoclay located at the dispersed EMA phase. The effects of clay concentration on the properties of the nanocomposites were also studied. The optimum dispersion as well as property was found for the nanocomposite at 5 wt% of the nano clay.