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Effect of exfoliation on poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile)/montmorillonite nanocomposite flammability
Author(s) -
Stretz H. A.,
Wootan M. W.,
Cassidy P. E.,
Koo J. H.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.564
Subject(s) - materials science , montmorillonite , flammability , copolymer , acrylonitrile , exfoliation joint , organoclay , nanocomposite , styrene , composite material , acrylonitrile butadiene styrene , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , polymer , graphene , engineering , nanotechnology
Montmorillonite clays (MMT) have shown potential as non‐halogenated fire retardants in polymer blends, but the effect of morphology of the resulting nanocomposite is not well understood. In this article MMT blends are studied in a styrene‐acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) matrix to get structure–property relationships relating to the more complex problem of flame retardancy (FR) of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer (ABS) computer housings. The morphology observed in SAN/MMT blends using twin screw extrusion was complex, and was affected by the compatibilizing amine head group substituent size, the amine tail group length, and the amine exchange ratio. However, the morphology did not affect flammability properties significantly. The most important determinant of FR properties was clay loading. Peak heat release rate was reduced up to 49% at a loading of about 12% organoclay, using a 2‐ethylhexyl dimethyl hydrogenated tallow ammonium surfactant. Backside temperatures were measured during FR tests, and significant reductions in maximum heat soak temperature and time to reach heat soak temperature were noted as exfoliation increased, supporting the theory that the clays have an insulative effect. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.