Effect of Nano/Micro Reinforcement Type on Mechanical and Physical Response of Polyurethane based Micro-nanocomposites

Polymer nanocomposites include a polymer matrix, filled with nano-reinforcements. The weight percentage ofreinforcements can be effective on thermal, physical, and mechanical properties. This research aims to investigate theeffect of micro and nano-reinforcements on the mechanical and physicalproperties of modified polyurethaneelastomers. Polyurethane with a shore hardness of ۷۰ has been used as the base polymer filled with aerosil, talc, TiO۲,and nanoclay reinforcements with ۸ wt%. Tensile tests, densitometry, pH test, DSC, and water angle were employed toassess the said properties. The results showed that the specimens reinforced with talc exhibited the highest mechanicalproperties. The lowest pH changes were revealed in the case of nanoclay-loaded parts. The highest density correspondsto the case of ۸ wt% of TiO۲. The pure samples and the specimens reinforced with nanoclay led to the highesthydrophobicity, whilst ۸ wt% aerosil reported the lowest enthalpy and density and highest Tg.