Morphology and properties of nylon6 and high density polyethylene blends in absence and presence of nanoclay

The morphology and properties of nylon6/HDPE blends without and with nanoclay has been reported. Scanning electron microscopy study of the (70/30 w/w) nylon6/HDPE blends with small amount (0.1 phr) of nanoclay indicated a reduction in the average domain sizes (D) of dispersed HDPE phase and hence better extent of mixing compared to the blend without any nanoclay. X‐ray diffraction study and transmission electron microscopy revealed that nanoclay layers were mostly located in nylon6 matrix of the (70/30 w/w) nylon6/HDPE blend. However, the same effect of nanoclay on the morphology was not observed in (30/70 w/w) nylon6/HDPE blend where HDPE became the matrix. In (30/70 w/w) nylon6/HDPE blend, addition of nanoclay increased the D of dispersed nylon6 domains by preferential location of the clays in side the nylon6 domains. Thus, the clay platelets in the matrix phase acted as barrier that restricted the coalescence of dispersed domains during melt‐mixing. Addition of PE‐g‐MA in both the compositions of nylon6/HDPE blend effectively reduced the D of dispersed phases. Storage modulus and thermal stability of the blend were improved in presence of small amount of clay, whereas addition of PE‐g‐MA lowered the mechanical and thermal properties of the blends. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Effect of nanoclay on the morphology and properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/high‐density polyethylene blends

The effect of nanoclay on the morphology and properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) blends was studied. A scanning electron microscopy study of the PMMA/HDPE (70/30 w/w) blends with nanoclay indicated a reduction in the average domain sizes of the dispersed HDPE phase and, hence, a better extent of mixing compared to that of the blends without any nanoclay. An X‐ray diffraction study and transmission electron microscopy revealed the localization of intercalated nanoclay in the PMMA matrix of the PMMA/HDPE (70/30 w/w) blend. However, the same effect of clay was not observed in the PMMA/HDPE (30/70 w/w) blend when HDPE became the matrix. In the PMMA/HDPE (30/70 w/w) blend, the addition of nanoclay increased the domain size of the dispersed PMMA domains by preferential location of the clays inside the PMMA domains. The addition of polyethylene‐grafted maleic anhydride in both compositions of the PMMA/HDPE blend effectively reduced the domain size of the disperse phases in the blend. However, the presence of clay increased the tensile strength and storage modulus of the PMMA/HDPE blends in both blend compositions. Thus, in the PMMA/HDPE blend, the clay platelets acted as a effective compatibilizer as long as they were dispersed mainly in the matrix phase. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Alteration of the mechanical and thermal properties of nylon 6/nylon 6,6 blends by nanoclay

Nylon 6 [N(6)], nylon 6,6 [N(6,6)], and their blends at different clay loadings were prepared. The mix was melted and injected into strip‐shaped samples. Mechanical and thermal analyses were performed to investigate the effect of blending and the incorporated clay on the mechanical and thermal properties. Enhancements in the Young's modulus and hardness were obtained for all of the nanocomposites, with a 55% increase in Young's modulus after the addition of 6 wt % nanoclay, although the improvement in tensile strength depended on the blend ratio, with greatest effects on the 50% N(6)/50% N(6,6) blend with increases of 44 and 59% for 2 and 4% clay loadings, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis showed an enhancement in the thermal properties in the 50% N(6)/50% N(6,6) blend at 2% clay loading, and the blend exhibited ductile behavior at this loading. Increases in the crystallization peak temperatures of 10–15° in N(6,6) and the two blends 30% N(6)/70% N(6,6) and 50% N(6)/50% N(6,6) were observed after the addition of the clay. The nanoclay enhanced the γ‐/β‐form crystals in N(6) and N(6,6) neat polymers and also in the blends. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FT‐IR revealed the formation of hydrogen bonding and the possible formation of ionic bonds between the polymers and the nanoclay, which resulted in enhancements in the mechanical properties of the blends. The distribution of the nanoclay in the blend was well dispersed, as shown by X‐ray diffraction analysis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Gasoline permeation behavior and mechanical properties of polyamide 6/nanoclay,polyamide 6/PE‐g‐maleic anhydride blend,and polyamide 6/PE‐g‐maleic anhydride/clay nanocomposite

In this article, polyamide 6 (PA6)/clay nanocomposites, PA6/polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA) blends, and PA6/PE‐g‐MA/clay nanocomposites were prepared and their gasoline permeation behavior and some mechanical properties were investigated. In PA6/clay nanocomposites, cloisite 30B was used as nanoparticles, with weight percentages of 1, 3, and 5. The blends of PA6/PE‐g‐MA were prepared with PE‐g‐MA weight percents of 10, 20, and 30. All samples were prepared via melt mixing technique using a twin screw extruder. The results showed that the lowest gasoline permeation occurred when using 3 wt % of nanoclay in PA6/clay nanocomposites, and 10 wt % of PE‐g‐MA in PA6/PE‐g‐MA blends. Therefore, a sample of PA6/PE‐g‐MA/clay nanocomposite containing 3 wt % of nanoclay and 10 wt % of PE‐g‐MA was prepared and its gasoline permeation behavior was investigated. The results showed that the permeation amount of PA6/PE‐g‐MA/nanoclay was 0.41 g m^?2 day^?1, while this value was 0.46 g m^?2 day^?1 for both of PA6/3wt % clay nanocomposite and PA6/10 wt % PE‐g‐MA blend. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40150.     

Artificial weathering effect on the structure and properties of polypropylene/polyamide‐6 blends compatibilized with PP‐g‐MA

The degradation of uncompatibilized and compatibilized PP/PA‐6 (70/30 wt %) with PP‐g‐MA under accelerated UV light was investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy, melt flow index (MFI) tester, tensile test, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR analysis of the structure of the compatibilized and uncompatibilized blends after exposure to UV light showed the formation of photoproducts corresponding to both components. The MFI and mechanical results obtained revealed that photooxidation started primarily in PA‐6 rather than PP. In addition, the uncompatibilized blends exhibited a higher degradation rate compared to neat polymers for long exposure time, and the addition of PP‐g‐MA increased slightly their ageing rate in accordance with TGA data. Further, DSC analysis showed an increase in the crystallinity index and a decrease in the melting temperature of PP and PA‐6 after UV exposure either as neat polymers or as blend components. SEM micrographs of the cryo‐fractured surfaces of the samples illustrated the formation of cracks and fractures after UV irradiation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41722.     

A study of the effect of PP‐g‐MA and SEBS‐g‐MA on the mechanical and morphological properties of polypropylene/nylon 6 blends

The mechanical and morphological properties of polypropylene/nylon 6 blends compatibilized with PP grafted with maleic anhydride (PP‐g‐MA) and styrene/ethene‐co‐butene/styrene grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA) are studied using a special version of a factorial design known as extreme vertices. Properties examined include yield stress, modulus, elongation, toughness, impact strength and morphology. Comparisons are made between various treatment combinations (i.e. a variety of blends) and polypropylene homopolymer using various statistical methods including analysis of variance (ANOVA). Scheffe's Test and Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Significant differences were found for yield stress, modulus, elongation, toughness and impact strength for specific treatment combinations versus PP as well as on average. Ternary diagrams are used to plot response surfaces of the measured data illustrating the main effects and interactions involved, while allowing correlations to be made with blend morphology. Indications from test results and analysis of response surfaces show a strong relationship between nylon/compatibilizer ratio and mechanical properties.     

Preparation and properties of compatibilized PVC/SMA‐g‐PA6 blends

The morphology and mechanical properties of PVC/SMA‐g‐PA6 blends were investigated in this paper. Graft to polymer SMA‐g‐PA6 was prepared via a solution graft reaction between SMA and PA6. FTIR test evidences the occurrence of the graft reaction between SMA and PA6. DSC analysis shows that SMA‐g‐PA6 has a lower melting point of 187°C, which may result in a decrease in crystallinity of PA6 and thus enable efficient blending of SMA‐g‐PA6 and PVC. Compatibilization was evidenced by the dramatic increase in mechanical properties, the smaller particle size and finer dispersion of PA6 in PVC matrix, and, further, a cocontinuous morphology at 16 wt % SMA‐g‐PA6 content. SMA‐g‐PA6 from the solution graft reaction can toughen and reinforce PVC material. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 432–439, 2004     

Effect of the components' molar mass and of the mixing conditions on the compatibilization of PE–LCP blends by PE‐g‐LCP copolymers

The rheology, morphology, and mechanical properties of blends of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) with a semiflexible liquid crystalline copolyester (SBH) were studied in order to assess the compatibilizing ability of added PE‐g‐SBH copolymers, and its dependence on the molar mass of the PE matrix, and on the technique used for blend preparation. The PE‐g‐SBH copolymers were synthesized as described in previous articles, either by the polycondensation of the SBH monomers in the presence of a functionalized PE sample containing free carboxyl groups, or by reactive blending of the latter polymer with preformed SBH. Two samples of HDPE having different molar masses, and two samples of SBH with different melt viscosity and different microstructure, were used for preparing the blends. The two components and the compatibilizer were either blended in a single batch or used to prepare binary master blends to which the third component was added at a later stage. The results indicate that the PE‐g‐SBH copolymers do, in fact, compatibilize the PE–SBH blends and that the effect is more pronounced with the lower molar mass PE matrix and with the SBH sample having lower viscosity. The experiments carried out on blends prepared with different techniques show that the compatibilizing ability of the graft copolymer is improved if the latter is first blended with either of the two main components. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 603–613, 1999     

Using Nanosilica to Fine‐Tune Morphology and Properties of Polyamide 6/Poly(propylene) Blends

The effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic nanosilica on the morphological, mechanical and thermal properties of polyamide 6 (PA) and poly(propylene) (PP) blends is investigated by extrusion compounding. Depending on the difference between the polymer/nanoparticle interfacial tensions, different morphologies are obtained as highlighted by TEM and SEM. Hydrophobic nanosilica migrates mainly at the PA/PP interface, which leads to a clear refinement of PP droplet size. The macroscopic properties of the hybrid blends are discussed and interpreted in relation with the blend morphology and melt‐mixing procedure. The control over coalescence allows a morphology refinement of the blends and improves mechanical properties.

     

Melt rheological properties of PBT/SEBS and reactively compatibilized PBT/SEBS/SEBS‐g‐MA polymer blends

Melt rheological properties of PBT/SEBS and PBT/SEBS/SEBS‐g‐MA blends at SEBS volume fraction (Φ_d) = 0.00–0.38 were studied at 240°C, 250°C and 260°C using a capillary rheometer. The compatibilizer SEBS‐g‐MA addition resulted in significant reduction in the dynamic interfacial tension which in turn led to increased phase adhesion. The power law exponent n decreased with increasing Φ_d and increasing temperature for both the compatiblized and uncompatiblized blends. The consistency index of PBT/SEBS increased with increasing Φ_d but were smaller than those of PBT/SEBS/SEBS‐g‐MA blends. Melt elasticity such as die swell and first normal stress difference increased with Φ_d. Variations of first normal stress coefficient function (ψ₁), recoverable shear strain (γ_R), relaxation time (λ), and shear compliance (J_c) values versus shear rate were analyzed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41402.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of SEBS‐g‐MA compatibilized halloysite nanotubes reinforced polyethylene terephthalate/polycarbonate/nanocomposites

In this study, the effect of maleic anhydride grafted styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene (SEBS‐g‐MA) content on mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of polyethylene terephthalate/polycarbonate/halloysite nanotubes (PET/PC/HNTs) nanocomposites has been investigated. Nanocomposites of PET/PC (70 : 30) with 2 phr of HNTs were compounded using the counter rotating twin screw extruder. A series of formulations were prepared by adding 5–20 phr SEBS‐g‐MA to the composites. Incorporation of 5 phr SEBS‐g‐MA into the nanocomposites resulted in the highest tensile and flexural strength. Maximum improvement in the impact strength which is 245% was achieved at 10 phr SEBS‐g‐MA content. The elongation at break increased proportionately with the SEBS‐g‐MA content. However, the tensile and flexural moduli decreased with increasing SEBS‐g‐MA content. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a transition from a brittle fracture to ductile fracture morphology with increasing amount of SEBS‐g‐MA. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the addition of SEBS‐g‐MA into the nanocomposites promoted a better dispersion of HNTs in the matrix. A single glass transition temperature was observed from the differential scanning calorimetry test for compatibilized nanocomposites. Thermogravimetric analysis of PET/PC/HNTs nanocomposites showed high thermal stability at 15 phr SEBS‐g‐MA content. However, on further addition of SEBS‐g‐MA up to 20 phr, thermal stability of the nanocomposites decreased due to the excess amount of SEBS‐g‐MA. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42608.     

Effects of polyethylene‐grafted maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA) on thermal properties,morphology, and tensile properties of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and corn starch blends

The effects of polyethylene‐grafted maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA) on the thermal properties, morphology, and tensile properties of blends of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and corn starch were studied with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Instron Universal Testing Machine, respectively. Corn starch–LDPE blends with different starch content and with or without the addition of PE‐g‐MA were prepared with a lab‐scale twin‐screw extruder. The crystallization temperature of LDPE–corn starch–PE‐g‐MA blends was similar to that of pure LDPE but higher than that of LDPE–corn starch blends. The interfacial properties between corn starch and LDPE were improved after PE‐g‐MA addition, as evidenced by the structure morphology revealed by SEM. The tensile strength and elongation at break of corn starch–LDPE–PE‐g‐MA blends were greater than those of LDPE–corn starch blends, and their differences became more pronounced at higher starch contents. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2904–2911, 2003     

Morphology and properties of PBT/nylon 6/EVA‐g‐MAH ternary blends prepared by reactive extrusion

Morphology and properties of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/nylon 6 (PA6)/EVA‐g‐MAH ternary blends were investigated. The blends were prepared in a corotating, intermeshing, twin‐screw extruder. The incorporation of maleic anhyride (MAH) grafted onto ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) (EVA‐g‐MAH) in the PBT/PA6 binary blends decreased the tensile and flexural strength but increased the impact strength, while the mechanical properties of the PBT/PA6 blends were decreased with increasing PA6 content regardless of the presence or absence of the EVA‐g‐MAH. The morphology studies of the ternary blends showed gross phase separation. The rheological properties of the ternary blends suggested that excessively high reactivity between amine end groups of PA6 and MAH grafted onto EVA makes the compatibility between PBT and PA6 worse, although EVA‐g‐MAH was expected to work as a compatibilizer for PBT/PA6 blends. The degree of reactivity between functional groups in PBT, PA6, and EVA‐g‐MAH was also examined by investigating the effect of blending sequence on the properties of the ternary blends.     

Effects of glycerol and PE‐g‐MA on morphology,thermal and tensile properties of LDPE and rice starch blends

The effects of glycerol and polyethylene‐grafted maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA) on the morphology, thermal properties, and tensile properties of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and rice starch blends were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry, and the Instron Universal Testing Machine, respectively. Blends of LDPE/rice starch, LDPE/rice starch/glycerol, and LDPE/rice starch/glycerol/PE‐g‐MA with different starch contents were prepared by using a laboratory scale twin‐screw extruder. The distribution of rice starch in LDPE matrix became homogenous after the addition of glycerol. The interfacial adhesion between rice starch and LDPE was improved by the addition of PE‐g‐MA as demonstrated by SEM. The crystallization temperatures of LDPE/rice starch/glycerol blends and LDPE/rice starch/glycerol/PE‐g‐MA blends were similar to that of pure LDPE but higher than that of LDPE/rice starch blends. Both the tensile strength and the elongation at break followed the order of rice starch/LDPE/glycerol/PE‐g‐MA blends > rice starch/LDPE/glycerol > LDPE/rice starch blends. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 344–350, 2004     

Morphology and mechanical properties of polyamide‐6/K resin blends

Mechanical properties and morphological studies of compatibilized blends of polyamide‐6 (PA‐6)/K resin grafted with maleic anhydride (K‐g‐MAH) and PA‐6/K resin/K‐g‐MAH were investigated as functions of K resin/K‐g‐MAH and dispersed phase K resin concentrations, and all the blends were prepared using twin screw extruder followed by injection molding. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to assess the fracture surface morphology and the dispersion of the K resin in PA‐6 continuous phase, the results showing extensive deformation in presence of K‐g‐MAH, whereas, uncompatibilized PA‐6/K resin blends show dislodging of K resin domains from the PA‐6 matrix. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) test reveals the partially miscibility of PA‐6 with K‐g‐MAH, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results further identified that the introduction of K‐g‐MAH greatly improved the miscibility between PA‐6 and K resin. The mechanical properties of PA‐6/K resin blends and K‐g‐MAH were studied through bending, tensile, and impact properties. The Izod notch impact strength of PA‐6/K‐g‐MAH blends increase with the addition of K‐g‐MAH, when the K‐g‐MAH content adds up to 20 wt %, the impact strength is as more than 6.2 times as pure PA‐6, and accompanied with small decrease in the tensile and bending strength less than 12.9% and 17.5%, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Effect of the compatibilization of linear low‐density polyethylene‐g‐acrylic acid on the morphology and mechanical properties of poly(butylene terephthalate)/linear low‐density polyethylene blends

A poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) alloy was prepared with a reactive extrusion method. For improved compatibility of the blending system, LLDPE grafted with acrylic acid (LLDPE‐g‐AA) by radiation was adopted in place of plain LLDPE. The toughness and extensibility of the PBT/LLDPE‐g‐AA blends, as characterized by the impact strengths and elongations at break, were much improved in comparison with the toughness and extensibility of the PBT/LLDPE blends at the same compositions. However, there was not much difference in their tensile (or flexural) strengths and moduli. Scanning electron microscopy photographs showed that the domains of PBT/LLDPE‐g‐AA were much smaller and their dispersions were more homogeneous than the domains and dispersions of the PBT/LLDPE blends. Compared with the related values of the PBT/LLDPE blends, the contents and melting temperatures of the usual spherulites of PBT in PBT/LLDPE‐g‐AA decreased. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1059–1066, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10399     

Influence of high density polyethylene‐g‐maleic anhydride on compatibility and properties of poly(butylene terephthalate)/high density polyethylene blends

Poly(butylene terephthalate)/high density polyethylene (PBT/HDPE) blends and PBT/HDPE‐grafted maleic anhydride (PBT/HDPE‐g‐MAH) blends were prepared by the reactive extrusion approach, and the effect of blend compositions on the morphologies and properties of PBT/HDPE blends and PBT/HDPE‐g‐MAH blends was studied in detail. The results showed that flexural strength, tensile strength, and notched impact strength of PBT/HDPE blends decreased with the addition of HDPE, and flexural strength and tensile strength of PBT/HDPE‐g‐MAH blends decreased, while the notched impact strength of PBT/HDPE‐g‐MAH increased with the addition of HDPE‐g‐MAH. Compared with PBT/HDPE blends, the dimension of the dispersed phase particles in PBT/HDPE‐g‐MAH blends was decreased and the interfacial adhesion was increased. On the other hand, the effects of HDPE and HDPE‐g‐MAH contents on the crystalline and the rheological properties of the blends were also investigated. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 6081–6087, 2006     

Rheological,thermal, and morphological properties of low‐density polyethylene/ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene and linear low‐density polyethylene/ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene blends

The dynamic rheological behavior of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)/ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) blends and linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE)/UHMWPE blends was measured in a parallel‐plate rheometer at 180, 190, and 200°C. Analysis of the log–additivity rule, Cole–Cole plots, Han curves, and Van Gurp curves of the LDPE/UHMWPE blends indicated that the blends were miscible in the melt. In contrast, the rheological properties of LLDPE/UHMWPE showed that the miscibility of the blends was decided by the composition of LLDPE. The differential scanning calorimetry results and scanning electron microscopy photos of the LLDPE/UHMWPE blends were consistent with the rheological properties, whereas with regard to the thermal and morphological properties of LDPE/UHMWPE blends, the results reveal three endothermic peaks and phase separation, which indicated a liquid–solid phase separation in the LDPE/UHMWPE blends. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Compatibilizer in waste tire powder and low‐density polyethylene blends and the blends modified asphalt

With the increasing ratio of waste tire powder (WTP) to low‐density polyethylene (LDPE), the hardness and tensile strength of the WTP/LDPE blends decreased while the elongation at break increased. Five kinds of compatibilizers, such as maleic anhydride‐grafted polyethylene (PE‐g‐MA), maleic anhydride‐grafted ethylene‐octene copolymer (POE‐g‐MA), maleic anhydride‐grafted linear LDPE, maleic anhydride‐grafted ethylene vinyl‐acetate copolymer, and maleic anhydride‐grafted styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene, were incorporated to prepare WTP/LDPE blends, respectively. PE‐g‐MA and POE‐g‐MA reinforced the tensile stress and toughness of the blends. The toughness value of POE‐g‐MA incorporating blends was the highest, reached to 2032.3 MJ/m³, while that of the control was only 1402.9 MJ/m³. Therefore, POE‐g‐MA was selected as asphalt modifier. The toughness value reached to the highest level when the content of POE‐g‐MA was about 8%. Besides that the softening point of the modified asphalt would be higher than 60°C, whereas the content of WTP/LDPE blend was more than 5%, and the blends were mixed by stirring under the shearing speed of 3000 rpm for 20 min. Especially, when the blend content was 8.5%, the softening point arrived at 82°C, contributing to asphalt strength and elastic properties in a wide range of temperature. In addition, the swelling property of POE‐g‐MA/WTP/LDPE blend was better than that of the other compalibitizers, which indicated that POE‐g‐MA /WTP/LDPE blend was much compatible with asphalt. Also, the excellent compatibility would result in the good mechanical and processing properties of the modified asphalt. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Quantitative analysis of cloisite 93A infused into linear low‐density polyethylene and maleated linear low‐density polyethylene in a supercritical carbon dioxide medium

Linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) is a widely used polymer that can benefit from the enhanced barrier, thermal, and mechanical properties offered by nanoclay fillers. However, optimal property enhancement requires complete exfoliation and uniform dispersion, both of which are difficult to achieve with nanoclay fillers. Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) processing is an inexpensive and environmentally benign method for exfoliating and dispersing clays into polymers. In a scCO₂ medium under controlled environments, the organically modified clay Cloisite 93A was infused into LLDPE and maleated linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE‐g‐MA). Upon microscopic inspection, it was evident that clay infusion was achieved near the surface of the polymer pellet, but no clay found its way into the interior of the pellet. In this article, we describe an analytical method for determining the amount of nanoclay infused into a polymer matrix via Fourier transform infrared analysis. Using this method, we determined the weight percentage of Cloisite 93A infused into LLDPE and LLDPE‐g‐MA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012