Clay modification effects on Properties of polyethylene and polypropylene nanocomposite

In this work effect of clay modification for producing polymeric nano composite of polyethylene/clay and polypropylene/clay was investigated. Nanocomposites were produced by melt intercalation method, using bra bender internal mixer for both modified and ordinary nano particles. For omitting the operating conditions effects on discussed properties, these parameters were remained constant for all compounds during the experiments.The mechanical properties were evaluated for both modified and ordinary clay as well as flammability of specimens according to relevant standards. The amount of clay particles, dispersed in polymeric matrix, was selected in three level (1 , 3 , 5 % by weight) which are appropriate for characterizing considered features of produced composites.The results showed that tensile strength and elongation of polyethylene has a steep decrease with increasing non modified clay content. This effect however is significantly less, when polypropylene used as a matrix. Also is indicated that at least 5% inorganic clay required obtaining sufficient reduction in flammability. It must be mentioned that this level of inorganic clay can not strengthen polymeric matrix sufficiently.Modified organo clay was prepared using an oligomeric surfactant which contains a alkyl group and benzene rings. Spectroscopic analysis showed that this newly formed modified clay contains 25% inorganic clay. The results obviously predict that presence about 10 to 30 percent enhancements was achieved by using modified clay instead of former