The enhancement of properties of TPNR/clay nanocomposites using ultrasonic treatment
(524-532) Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites 30 #6 (2011)
Abstract
Tarawneh et al of the Universiti Kebangsaan and the Universiti Teknologi Mara, Malaysia, studied the effect of ultrasonic treatment time on the mechanical properties of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) nanocomposites.  The tensile properties of nanocomposites treated with ultrasonic increased as compared with untreated nanocomposites.  The optimum ultrasonic treatment time was obtained at 1 h with the addition of a coupling agent (12% PP-g-MA). DMA has shown that the storage modulus E' and loss modulus E'' of TPNR nanocomposites had improved as compared with TPNR, the optimum results with ultrasonic effect achieved at 1 and 3 h. Ultrasonic treatment can promote the dispersion of the clay in TPNR and also improve the compatibility of organoclay filler and the TPNR matrix.  (RDC 5/25/2011)