J-integral evaluation of nanoclay-modified HDPE/PA6 microfibrillar composites

0468071 - ÚMCH 2017 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Kelnar, Ivan - Hodan, Jiří - Kaprálková, Ludmila - Kratochvíl, Jaroslav - Hromádková, Jiřina - Kotek, Jiří
J-integral evaluation of nanoclay-modified HDPE/PA6 microfibrillar composites.
Polymer Testing. Roč. 58, April (2017), s. 54-59. ISSN 0142-9418. E-ISSN 1873-2348
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA13-15255S
Institutional support: RVO:61389013
Keywords : nanocomposite * blend * melt drawing
OECD category: Composites (including laminates, reinforced plastics, cermets, combined natural and synthetic fibre fabrics
Impact factor: 2.247, year: 2017

Microfibrillar composites (MFC) are polymer-polymer composites with many advantages, including good dispersion and bonding of in-situ generated fibrils. Recently, it has been shown that their performance can be enhanced by suitable addition of organophilized montmorillonite (oMMT) provided the numerous oMMT-induced effects are harmonized. This work deals with evaluation of resistance against unstable crack propagation (J-integral) in combination with Charpy and tensile impact strength methods, and SEM observation of fibrils shape and size and fracture surfaces. The results indicate that addition of PA6 inclusions and oMMT to relatively ductile HDPE reduces toughness evaluated using Charpy and J-integral. The fact that tensile impact strength is not reduced by oMMT indicates the importance of the impact testing mode for MFC. Of importance is the fact that formation of PA6 fibres reinforced with oMMT practically does not reduce toughness. Hence, the drawn oMMT-modified system with significantly higher stiffness and practically unchanged fracture resistance can be obtained. Combination of the complex effect of oMMT and in-situ fibrils reinforcement present a tool to attain polymer systems with enhanced well-balanced properties.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0266388