Rheological behavior of noncompatibilized and compatibilized PP/PET blends with SEBS‐g‐MA

The rheological behaviors of noncompatibilized and compatibilized polypropylene/polyethylene terephthalate blends (80/20) in relation with their morphology were studied at two constant levels using maleic anhydride‐modified styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene polymer. By scanning electron microscopy of cryofractured surfaces, the morphology of the blends was examined after etching. The frequency sweep and step strain experiments were carried out for the blends. The frequency sweep results indicated that increasing the compatibilizer causes behavioral changes of the rheological properties, which could be related to the aggregation of the dispersed particles with rubbery shell. Also, the frequency sweep and step strain experiments in linear region, after cessation of simple steady shear flow with various preshear rates (higher shear stress values than G′_p), were done on compatibilized blend. The results showed that the morphology characteristics, defined by the aggregation of the dispersed particles based on rheological experimental data, were destroyed and replaced by an alignment in the flow direction for present imposed shear rates. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

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.     

Mechanical,morphological, and thermal properties of nanotalc reinforced PA6/SEBS‐g‐MA composites

Ternary butylene‐styrene‐g‐maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA) (100/20 w/w) blend with varying content of nanotalc (1, 3, and 5 wt %) were prepared by melt compounding followed by injection molding. Thermal properties were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the results show that the thermal properties of nanocomposites are slightly improved by the addition of nanotalc content. The morphology of nanocomposites using wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the delamination of talc layers in the ternary nanocomposites. The dynamic mechanical properties of the samples were analyzed by using dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA). The results show that the storage modulus of the blend monotonically increased while tan δ curve show the diffuse pattern with the nanotalc content. The mechanical properties of PA6/SEBS‐g‐MA nanocomposites were studied by tensile, flexural, and impact tests. The tensile and flexural properties continuously increased while izod impact and elongation‐at‐break decreased with nanotalc content. Various theoretical predictive models were used to correlate tensile modulus with the experimental data. The experimental data shows the positive deviation with the applied models. Bela Pukanszky model has been used to calculate the value of parameter B by employing tensile strength data. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41381.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of toughened PA6/HDPE/SEBS‐g‐MA/Clay nanocomposite

Preparation and morphology of Polyamide 6 (PA6)/high density polyethylene (HDPE)/Styrene/Ethylene–Butylene/Styrene grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA)/Modified clay nanocomposites were studied. Mixing was performed using melting process in an extruder co‐rotating twin screw. After etching the materials with boiling toluene and THF at room temperature, the morphology of sample checked by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) used for evaluation of the effects of organo‐clay addition in the structure of nanocomposites. XRD traces showed that the characteristic (001) peak of the nanocomposites shifted to the lower degree region. XRD and SEM results showed more uniformly distribution and dispersion of HDPE in the PA6 matrix. Better sample morphology obtained, regarding less distance, and more uniformity between nanoparticles. The mechanical properties like tensile strength, impact strength, hardness and thermal properties of these toughened nanocomposites are discussed in terms of the nanoclay, SEBS‐g‐MA contents and morphology. Adding nanoclay improved hardness of nanocomposites product but reduced toughness and thermal properties. Meanwhile the presence of SEBS‐g‐MA as a compatibilizer improved toughness, thermal properties, hardness property, and the balance properties are achieved. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:29–33, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Study on morphological,rheological, and mechanical properties of PP/SEBS‐MA/SGF hybrid composites

Hybrid composite samples composed of polypropylene as matrix, 20% short glass fibers (SGF) as reinforcement and varying amount of maleic anhydride (MA) grafted SEBS as compatibilizer and impact modifier were prepared by melt mixing in a modular twin screw extruder. The SEM examination performed on cryogenically fractured surfaces of hybrid samples showed a three‐phase type morphology in which SGF and rubber phase finely distributed in the PP matrix. SEM results also revealed that in the hybrid samples containing SEBS‐MA, the surface of the SGF are coated with a thin layer of SEBS‐MA, indicating a strong adhesion between SGF and matrix materials. The results of rheological studies showed nearly equal viscosity for compatible and incompatible hybrid samples. Tensile yield strength enhanced with increasing rubber content up to 10% above which it decreased and highest impact strength enhancement was obtained for sample containing 20% rubber. The impact strength of composites was found to be increased with increasing the SGF content. In final, it was shown that a good balance between stiffness and toughness could be achieved by adjusting the SGF and rubber content in this ternary system. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 2704–2710, 2007     

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.     

Morphological,thermal, rheological,and mechanical properties of PP/EVOH blends compatibilized with PP‐g‐IA

We prepared some blends of polypropylene (PP) and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) with and without a compatibilizer. As a new compatibilizer, we synthesized polypropylene grafted with itaconic acid (PP‐g‐IA) using Brabender mixing system. We investigated the morphological, thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of a compatibilized blends (PP/EVOH/PP‐g‐IA) and not compatibilized blends (PP/EVOH). Our experiments showed that carboxylic acid groups in PP‐g‐IA and hydroxyl group in EVOH formed strong in situ hydrogen bond in the compatibilized blends, resulting in better morphological and mechanical properties of the compatibilized blends than those of not compatibilized blends. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:1240–1247, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of organoclay on morphology and properties of nanocomposites based on LDPE/PA‐6 blends without and with SEBS‐g‐MA compatibilizer

LDPE/PA‐6 blends (75/25 wt/wt) were added with SEBS‐g‐MA (S) and/or an organoclay (20A) using different compounding sequences and the morphology and the properties of the blends or composites were investigated. An XRD study of the nanocomposites with pure polymers showed that 20A is intercalated by LDPE or PA‐6 chains, whereas it is exfoliated by S if the clay concentration does not exceed 10 wt%. The SEM investigation showed that both S and 20A behave as efficient emulsifying agents for the LDPE/PA‐6 blends. However, their effect on the mechanical properties was found to be opposite: S enhanced toughness but lowered the stiffness, whereas 20A improved the elastic modulus but impaired the impact properties. When used together, these additives failed to have synergistic effects and the blends mechanical properties could not be improved strongly. A possible interpretation for this behavior was suggested, considering that the anhydride groups of S can competitively interact with the amine end groups of PA‐6 and with the surface of the silicate layer of 20A. Nevertheless, an optimization of the compounding procedure and the use of appropriate proportions of S and 20A allow the preparation of composites with excellent morphology and a satisfactory balance of stiffness and toughness. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

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.     

Morphological and mechanical properties of PP/ABS blends compatibilized with PP‐g‐acrylic acid

Polypropylene (PP) and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) blends were prepared by a melt extrusion process. PP‐g‐acrylic acid was used as a compatibilizer. Blends with various compositions of PP, compatibilizer, and ABS were prepared and studied for morphological and mechanical properties. PP‐rich ternary blends showed good morphological and mechanical properties. The use of 5 wt % PP‐g‐acrylic acid as a compatibilizer resulted in a fine and homogeneous dispersion of the ABS phase in the PP phase. The experimental data of the tensile modulus showed good agreement in PP‐rich compositions with that generated from Kerner's model with perfect adhesion. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 1731–1741, 2001     

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     

A study on the effects of SEBS‐g‐MAH on the phase morphology and mechanical properties of polypropylene/polycarbonate/SEBS ternary polymer blends

In this work, five ternary blends based on 70% by weight (wt %) of polypropylene (PP) with 30% wt of polycarbonate (PC)/poly(styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene)(SEBS) dispersed phase consists of 15 wt % PC and 15 wt % reactive (maleic anhydride grafted) and nonreactive SEBS mixtures at various ratios were prepared in a co‐rotating twin screw extruder. scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed that the blends containing only nonreactive SEBS exhibited a fine dispersion of core‐shell particles. With decreasing the SEBS/SEBS‐g‐Maleic Anhydride (MAH) weight ratio, the morphology changed from the core‐shell particles to a mixed of core‐shell, rod‐like and individual particles. This variation in phase morphology affected the thermal and mechanical properties of the blends. DSC results showed that the blends containing only nonreactive SEBS exhibited a minimum in degree of crystallinity due to the homogeneous nucleation of core‐shell particles. Mechanical testing showed that in the SEBS/SEBS‐g‐MAH weight ratio of 50/50, the modulus and impact strength increased compared with the PP matrix while the yield stress had minimum difference with that of PP matrix. These effects could be attributed to the formation of those especial microstructures revealed by the SEM studies. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Mechanical properties of wollastonite‐reinforced polypropylene composites modified with SEBS and SEBS‐g‐MA elastomers

Mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene/wollastonite/styrene rubber block copolymers (iPP/wollastonite/SRBC) composites were studied as a function of elastomeric poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene) triblock copolymer (SEBS) and SEBS grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA) content from 0 to 20 vol%. Microphase morphology was stronger influenced by SRBC elastomers than by different wollastonite types. Higher encapsulation ability of SEBS‐g‐MA than SEBS caused more expressive core‐shell morphology and consequently higher notched impact strength as well as yield parameters, but lower Young's modulus. Higher ductility of the composites with SEBS than with SEBS‐g‐MA has been primarily caused by better miscibility of the polypropylene chains with SEBS molecules. Surface properties of components and adhesion parameters also indicated that adhesion at SEBS‐g‐MA/wollastonite interface, which was stronger than the one at the SEBS/wollastonite interface, influenced higher encapsulation of wollastonite particles by SEBS‐g‐MA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1873–1880, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and properties of dynamically cured PP/MAH‐g‐EVA/epoxy blends

A method concerning with the simultaneous reinforcing and toughening of polypropylene (PP) was reported. Dynamical cure of the epoxy resin with 2‐ethylene‐4‐methane‐imidazole (EMI‐2,4) was successfully applied in the PP/maleic anhydride‐grafted ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (MAH‐g‐EVA), and the obtained blends named as dynamically cured PP/MAH‐g‐EVA/epoxy blends. The stiffness and toughness of the blends are in a good balance, and the smaller size of epoxy particle in the PP/MAH‐g‐EVA/epoxy blends shows that MAH‐g‐EVA was also used as a compatibilizer. The structure of the dynamically cured PP/MAH‐g‐EVA/epoxy blends is the embedding of the epoxy particles by the MAH‐g‐EVA. The cured epoxy particles as organic filler increases the stiffness of the PP/MAH‐g‐EVA blends, and the improvement in the toughness is attributed to the embedded structure. The tensile strength and flexural modulus of the blends increase with increasing the epoxy resin content, and the impact strength reaches a maximum of 258 J/m at the epoxy resin content of 10 wt %. DSC analysis shows that the epoxy particles in the dynamically cured PP/MAH‐g‐EVA/epoxy blends could have contained embedded MAH‐g‐EVA, decreasing the nucleating effect of the epoxy resin. Thermogravimetric results show the addition of epoxy resin could improve the thermal stability of PP, the dynamically cured PP/MAH‐g‐EVA/epoxy stability compared with the pure PP. Wide‐angle x‐ray diffraction analysis shows that the dynamical cure and compatibilization do not disturb the crystalline structure of PP in the blends. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Preparation of HDPE/SEBS‐g‐MAH and its effect on mechanical properties of HDPE/wood flour composites

In this article, high density polyethylene/styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene block copolymer blends (HDPE/SEBS) grafted by maleic anhydride (HDPE/SEBS‐g‐MAH), which is an effective compatibilizer for HDPE/wood flour composites was prepared by means of torque rheometer with different contents of maleic anhydride (MAH). The experimental results indicated that MAH indeed grafted on HDPE/SEBS by FTIR analysis and the torque increased with increasing the content of maleic anhydride and dicumyl peroxide (DCP). Styrene may increase the graft reaction rate of MAH and HDPE/SEBS. When HDPE/SEBS MAH was added to HDPE/wood flour composites, tensile strength and flexural strength of composites can reach 25.9 and 34.8 MPa in comparison of 16.5 and 23.8 MPa (without HDPE/SEBS‐g‐MAH), increasing by 157 and 146%, respectively. Due to incorporation of thermoplastic elastomer in HDPE/SEBS‐g‐MAH, the Notched Izod impact strength reached 5.08 kJ m^?2, increasing by 145% in comparison of system without compatibilizer. That HDPE/SEBS‐g‐MAH improved the compatibility was also conformed by dynamic mechanical measurement. Scanning electron micrographs provided evidence for strong adhesion between wood flour and HDPE matrix with addition of HDPE/SEBS‐g‐MAH. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Reactive compatibilization of PP/PBT blends by a mixture of PP‐g‐MA and epoxy resin

In this study, dual compatibilizers composed of the commercially available maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (PP–MA) and a multifunctional epoxy resin were demonstrated to effectively compatibilize the immiscible and incompatible blends of PP and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT). The PP–MA with a low MA content is totally miscible with PP to make the PP phase quasi‐functionalized, so that the multifunctional epoxy has the chance to react with PBT and PP–MA simultaneously to form PP–MA‐co‐epoxy‐co‐PBT copolymers at the interface. These desired copolymers are able to anchor along the interface and serve as efficient compatibilizers. The compatibilized blends, depending on the quantity of dual compatibilizers employed, exhibit higher viscosity, finer phase domain, and improved mechanical properties. Epoxy does not show compatibilization effects for the PP/PBT blends without the presence of PP–MA in the blends. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 2272–2285, 2001     

Relationship between structure and properties in high‐performance PA6/SEBS‐g‐MA/(PPO/PS) blends: The role of PPO and PS

This work aimed at studying the role of poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) and polystyrene (PS) in toughening polyamide‐6 (PA6)/styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA) blends. The effects of weight ratio and content of PPO/PS on the morphology and mechanical behaviors of PA6/SEBS‐g‐MA/(PPO/PS) blends were studied by scanning electron microscope and mechanical tests. Driving by the interfacial tension and the spreading coefficient, the “core–shell” particles formed by PPO/PS (core) and SEBS‐g‐MA (shell) played the key role in toughening the PA6 blends. As PS improved the distribution of the “core–shell” particles due to its low viscosity, and PPO guaranteed the entanglement density of the PPO/PS phase, the 3/1 weight ratio of PPO/PS supplied the blends optimal mechanical properties. Within certain range, the increased content of PPO/PS could supply more efficient toughening particles and bring better mechanical properties. Thus, by adjusting the weight ratio and content of PPO and PS, the PA6/SEBS‐g‐MA/(PPO/PS) blends with excellent impact strength, high tensile strength, and good heat deflection temperature were obtained. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45281.     

Thermal evaluation of PHB/PP‐g‐MA blends and PHB/PP‐g‐MA/vermiculite bionanocomposites after biodegradation test

This study aimed to evaluate the thermal behavior of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)/polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PP‐g‐MA) blends and PHB/PP‐g‐MA/vermiculite bionanocomposites submitted to the biodegradation test according to ASTM G 160‐03. The blends and bionanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation method using a single screw extruder, and then, compression molded. The thermal analyzes were performed by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry. It was verified the decrease of onset degradation temperature and the melting temperature mainly after 86 days of exposure to the simulated soil. This behavior was more pronounced in bionanocomposites because of interactions between the maleic anhydride groups and the clay favoring biodegradation, making the systems more amorphous and propitious to the attack of microorganisms. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:555–560, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of blending sequence on the morphology and properties of polyamide 6/EPDM‐g‐MA/epoxy blends

The ternary blends of polyamide 6/maleated ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber/epoxy (PA6/EPDM‐g‐MA/EP) were prepared by a twin‐screw extruder with four different blending sequences. With the variation of blending sequence, the ternary blends presented distinct morphology and mechanical properties because of different interactions induced by various reactive orders. The addition of epoxy could increase the viscosity of the PA6 matrix, but a considerably larger size of the dispersed rubber phase was observed while first preblending PA6 with epoxy followed by blending a premix of PA6/EP with EDPM‐g‐MA, which was attested by rheological behaviors and SEM observations. It was probably ascribed to the fact that the great increase of the interfacial tension between the matrix and rubber phase aroused a great coalescence of rubber particles. The presence of epoxy in the rubber phase reduced the rubber's ability to cavitate so that the toughening efficiency of the EPDM‐g‐MA was decreased. The results of mechanical testing revealed that the optimum blending sequence to achieve balanced mechanical properties is blending PA6, EPDM‐g‐MA, and epoxy simultaneously in which the detrimental reactions might be effectively suppressed. In addition, thermal properties were investigated by TG and DSC, and the results showed that there was no distinct difference. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Mechanical,thermal, and morphological properties of injection molded poly(lactic acid)/SEBS‐g‐MAH/organo‐montmorillonite nanocomposites

Poly(lactic acid)/organo‐montmorillonite (PLA/OMMT) nanocomposites toughened with maleated styrene‐ethylene/butylene‐styrene (SEBS‐g‐MAH) were prepared by melt‐compounding using co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder followed by injection molding. The dispersibility and intercalation/exfoliation of OMMT in PLA was characterized using X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanical properties of the PLA nanocomposites was investigated by tensile and Izod impact tests. Thermogravimetric analyzer and differential scanning calorimeter were used to study the thermal behaviors of the nanocomposite. The homogenous dispersion of the OMMT silicate layers and SEBS‐g‐MAH encapsulated OMMT layered silicate can be observed from TEM. Impact strength and elongation at break of the PLA nanocomposites was enhanced significantly by the addition of SEBS‐g‐MAH. Thermal stability of the PLA/OMMT nanocomposites was improved in the presence of SEBS‐g‐MAH. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012