Effect of Nanoclay on the Morphology and Properties of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Toughened Polyoxymethylene (POM)/Clay Nanocomposites

Here, we report the morphology and properties of melt-blended poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (ABS) toughened polyoxymethylene (POM)/clay nanocomposites at different clay loadings (2.5 and 5 phr). The number average domain diameter (D-n) of the ABS droplets in the (75/25 w/w) POM/ABS blend was gradually decreased with increase in clay loading. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) study and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis of the (75/25 w/w) POM/ABS/clay nanocomposites revealed that, the major amount of clay silicates was dispersed selectively in the POM phase of the blend with an exfoliated morphology. The thermal stability of the (75/25 w/w) POM/ABS blend was increased with the increase in clay loadings. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study suggested the enhancement in the non-isothermal crystallization temperature of the matrix polymer in the blend/clay nanocomposites. The rheological study revealed a shear thinning behavior in the nanocomposites indicating good processability of the nanocomposites. The solvent uptake property of the blend was decreased in the presence of small amount of the clay in the nanocomposites. The tensile strength and Young modulus of the (75/25 w/w) POM/ABS blend were increased, whereas, percent elongation of the blend was decreased with increasing the clay content. The toughening effect of the ABS was prominent in the POM/ABS/clay nanocomposites compared to the pristine polymer. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:273-282, 2014. (c) 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers