High density polyethylene/national bentonite clay nanocomposites were prepared with the melt intercalation technique. The effect of the clay without treatment and clay treated with quaternary ammonium salt Cetremide with polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride as coupling agent was evaluated. The systems were characterized by flammability, mechanical and rheological properties, X ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. In general, the results of X ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy showed partially exfoliated and/or intercalated structures with higher tensile modulus and torque value. The flammability test showed that the addition of clay in the polymer matrix and PE-g-MA reduced the burning rate, indicating an improved flammability resistance of the nanocomposites. In general, the system containing PE-g-MA coupling agent led to partially exfoliated nanocomposites with higher thermal stability than the high density polyethylene matrix. The polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride promoted the exfoliation of clay and adhesion between matrix and filler, thus resulting in enhanced mechanical properties.
Nanocomposites; polyethylene; national bentonite clay; flammability
