Interfacial bond assessment of clay-polyolefin nanocomposites CPNC on view of mechanical and fracture properties

Interfacial bond between dry nanoclay (NC) powders and melted high density polyethylene (HDPE) powders is currently studied for clay/polymer nanocomposite (CPNC) made of montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay (NC) and polyolefin (HDPE). Conceptual approach is proposed for evaluating bi-material interfacial bonding process by means of practical measurements of bond results. Enhanced mechanical and fracture properties are important results of achieving the bond and vice versa. Cracks and failure are direct result of de-bonding. Bond between natural layered silicate-aluminum particles NC and polyolefin such as HDPE has main role of creation of properties of final product. It controls mainly each of mechanical and fracture properties rather than other properties like thermal, chemical and physical. Several parameters share strongly in producing strong bond between nanoclay particles and polymer chains. It is believed that each of nano and micro size, surface area, structure will control the bond. Since there are no direct experimental measurements of interfacial bond, the mechanical and fracture properties can indirectly indicate and predict bond or de-bond process. Therefore, current research shows how mechanical and fracture parameters can explain the assessment of bi-interfacial bond between polymer chains and nano silicate aluminum. Experimental work and characterizations by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and chemical composition analysis (EDS) are carried out for investigating that phenomenon. The results verify the concept of proposed approach for evaluating bond process. (C) 2017 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B. V.