Effect of Dynamic Cross-Linking on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Nanoclay-Containing Nanocomposites Based on Ethylene-Octene Copolymer

In this paper, the effects of dynamic cross-linking on the mechanical properties and morphology of nanoclay-containing nanocomposites based on ethylene-octene copolymer were studied. Tensile tests, low angle X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy were conducted on the samples studied. It was observed that, the addition of nanoclay into the matrix increased the stress and strain at break, however, little change was observed for the modulus compared to that of the matrix alone. In the cross-linked nanocomposites, the tensile modulus increased and stress and strain at break decreased in comparison with that of the uncross-linked nanocomposite and also the pristine copolymer. The results could be attributed to the formation of chemical bonds and the increase in d-spacing of the nanoclay layers in the cross-linked nanocomposites