Effects of nanotalc inclusion on mechanical,microstructural, melt shear rheological,and crystallization behavior of polyamide 6‐based binary and ternary nanocomposites

The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of inclusion of nanotalc on the strength properties of polyamide 6 (PA6)‐based binary and ternary nanocomposites. Binary nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding of PA6 with varying content of nanotalc (1, 2, and 4 wt%). Ternary nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding of compatibilized blend of PA 6 and ethylene‐co‐butyl acrylate (EBA elastomer) with varying content of nanotalc (1, 2, and 4 wt%). Both the binary and ternary nanocomposites registered a very high improvement in the strength/stiffness‐related properties at lower filler loading of 1 wt%. Phase morphology of the composites studied by SEM, TEM, and XRD revealed the formation of extended brane‐like structures and delaminated talc layers in the binary nanocomposites. The modulus predicted by Halpin‐Tsai and Mooney equation suggests that the composites retained a very good aspect ratio after melt mixing. Orientation effects of nanotalc enhanced the melt flow behavior in the composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1978–1993, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Thermal and mechanical properties of PA12/C30B nanocomposites in relationship with nanostructure

This work focuses on the effect of nanoclay mass fraction on the properties of polyamide 12 matrix. Relationships between mechanical, thermal, and structural properties of polyamide 12/Cloisite^® 30B nanocomposites were studied. The material structure, previously described from XRD and TEM experiments, was more thoroughly characterized in the present work using SEM and FTIR techniques. The FTIR results clearly showed that clay galleries are intercalated by PA chains, which leads to a partially exfoliated nanostructure, confirming the TEM observations and the XRD analysis. However, a few micrometric aggregates are evidenced by SEM analysis, particularly at high clay fractions. TGA and DTA measurements showed that the thermal stability of PA12 matrix is slightly modified by the Cloisite^® 30B content. Viscoelastic properties of the nanocomposites in solid‐state were analyzed as functions of strain, frequency, and temperature. The extent of the linear response regime of the material is shown to be sensitive to the amount of clay: nonlinearities appear at lower strain values as the clay mass fraction increases. Both relative dynamical moduli also increase with increasing clay mass fraction, with frequency dependence for the viscous modulus and without frequency dependence for the elastic modulus. Finally, similarities have been pointed out between viscoelastic properties of the nanocomposites in solid and melt states. For example, the percolation threshold is highlighted at the same clay mass fraction, ～2%, in both states. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41938.     

Investigation on polypropylene and polyamide-6 alloys/montmorillonite nanocomposites

Propropylene (PP) and polyamide-6 (PA6) alloys nanocomposites were prepared using melt intercalation technique by blending PP and PA6 while used organophilic montmorillonite (OMT). The melt intercalation of PP and PA6 alloys was carried out in the presence of a compatibilizer such as maleic anhydride-g-polypropylene (MAPP). Their structures were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and High Resolution Electronic Microscope (HREM). It was found different blend sequences have influence on the dispersibility of OMT and self-assembled structures of OMT appeared in PP and PA6 alloys. The crystallization behavior and crystal structure of PP and PA6 alloys/montmorillonite nanocomposites were investigated by X-ray diffraction. It showed that the blend sequences have influence on crystal structure and a higher cooling rate results in increasing of γ-crystalline phase. Flammability properties are characterized by Cone Calorimeter, which show an unusual phenomenon.     

Impact modified polyamide‐6/organoclay nanocomposites: Processing and characterization

The effects of melt state compounding of ethylene‐butyl acrylate‐maleic anhydride (E‐BA‐MAH) terpolymer and/or three types of organoclays (Cloisite® 15A, 25A, and 30B) on thermal and mechanical properties and morphology of polyamide‐6 are investigated. E‐BA‐MAH formed spherical domains in the materials to which it is added, and increased the impact strength, whereas the organoclays decreased the impact strength. In general, the organoclays increased the tensile strength (except for Cloisite 15A), Young's modulus and elongation at break, but the addition of E‐BA‐MAH had the opposite effect. XRD patterns showed that the interlayer spacing for the organoclays Cloisite 25A and Cloisite 30B increased in both polyamide‐6/organoclay binary nanocomposites and in polyamide‐6/organoclay/impact modifier ternary systems. TEM analysis showed that exfoliated‐intercalated nanocomposites were formed. The crystallinities of polyamide‐6/organoclay nanocomposites were in general lower than that of polyamide‐6 (except for Cloisite 15A). In ternary nanocomposites, crystallinities generally were lower than those of polyamide‐6/organoclay nanocomposites. Cloisite 15A containing ternary nanocomposites had higher tensile and impact strengths and Young's modulus than the ternary nanocomposites prepared with Cloisite 25A and Cloisite 30B, owing to its surface hydrophobicity and compatibility with the impact modifier. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical and rheological properties of PP/SEBS/OMMT ternary composites

The microstructure and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/OMMT binary nanocomposites and PP/styrene‐6‐(ethylene‐co‐butylenes)‐6‐styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS)/OMMT ternary nanocomposites were investigated using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and rheology and electromechanical testing machine. The results show that the organoclay layers are mainly intercalated and partially exfoliated in the PP‐based nanocomposites. The additions of SEBS and OMMT have no significant effect on the crystallization behavior of PP. At the same time, it can be concluded that the polymer chains of PP and SEBS have intercalated into the organoclay layers and increase the gallery distance after blending process based on the analytical results from TEM, XRD, and rheology, which result in the form of a percolated nanostructure in the PP‐based nanocomposites. The results of mechanical properties show that SEBS filler greatly improve the notched impact strength of PP, but with the sacrifice of strength and stiffness. OMMT can improve the strength and stiffness of PP and slightly enhance the notched impact strength of PP/PP‐g‐MA. In comparison with neat PP, PP/OMMT, and PP/SEBS binary composites, notched impact toughness of the PP/SEBS/OMMT ternary composites significantly increase. Moreover, the stiffness and strength of PP/SEBS/OMMT ternary nanocomposites are slightly enhanced when compared with neat PP. It is believed that the synergistic effect of both SEBS elastomer and OMMT nanoparticles account for the balanced mechanical performance of the ternary nanocomposites. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Structural,rheological, and mechanical properties of PA6/SAN/SEBS ternary blend/organoclay nanocomposites

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nanoclay addition on the morphological and mechanical properties of PA6/SAN/SEBS ternary blend. Two different nanoclays with different modifiers and two different mixing sequences were used to investigate the role of thermodynamic and kinetic, respectively, in the nanoclays localization. XRD, SEM, TEM, melt rheology, tensile and Izod impact tests were used to characterize the nanocomposites. Results of characterization of nanocomposites showed that clay localization is a very influential parameter to determine the type of morphology and, consequently, mechanical properties of ternary/clay nanocomposites. It was demonstrated that presence of nanoclay in the matrix results in the increase of stiffness, while localization of nanoclay at the interface improves the toughness and tensile strength. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41969.     

Dynamically vulcanized polypropylene/ethylene‐propylene diene monomer/organoclay nanocomposites: Effect of mixing sequence on structural,rheological, and mechanical properties

Dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) nanocomposites based on polypropylene (PP), ethylene‐propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and cloisite 15A were prepared via direct melt mixing in a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder. The mixing process was carried out with optimized processing parameters (barrel temperature = 180°C; screw speed = 150 rpm; and feeding rate = 0.2 kg/hr). The formulation used to prepare the nanocomposites was fixed to 75/20/5 (PP/EPDM/Cloisite^©15A), expressed in mass fraction. Effect of mixing sequence on the properties of vulcanized and unvulcanized (TPE) nanocomposites prepared under similar conditions was investigated using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and a tensile testing machine. Results showed that the sequence of mixing does affect the properties of final TPE nanocomposites. Accordingly, nanocomposite samples prepared through mixing the preblended PP/clay masterbatch with EPDM phase, show better clay dispersion within the polymer matrix. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:320–325, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and characterization of thermally stable phosphonium organoclays and their use in poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanocomposites

Purification of montmorillonite rich bentonite followed by surface modification using organic salts was performed. The bentonite was purified by sedimentation and then surface modified by ion exchange using alkyl‐ and aryl‐based phosphonium salts. The thermal stability, morphology, melt flow, and mechanical properties of the poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanocomposites prepared with these organoclays were studied with and without using a reactive elastomeric compatibilizer. TEM results showed that the alkyl based organoclay exhibited better dispersion and thus, higher tensile strength and elongation at break in the PET/organoclay/elastomer ternary nanocomposites than the aryl‐based organoclay did. The notched Charpy impact strength of PET increased from 2.9 to 4.7 kJ m^?2 and 3.4 kJ m^?2 for alkyl and aryl phosphonium organoclay‐based ternary nanocomposites, respectively. Upon compounding PET with alkyl and aryl phosphonium organoclays, the onset decomposition temperature of PET increased from 413°C to 420°C and 424°C, respectively. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effect of Compatibilizer Type on Properties of 70:30 Polyamide 6/Polypropylene/MMT Nanocomposites

PA6/PP nanocomposites with either polyethylene octene elastomer grafted maleic anhydride (POEgMAH) or PP grafted maleic anhydride (PPgMAH) as compatibilizer were prepared using co-rotating twin-screw extruder followed by injection molding. The mechanical and microstructural properties of the composites were investigated by means of tensile, flexural, and impact testing and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to characterize the formation of nanocomposites. The result indicated that the miscibility of PA6/PP nanocomposites was improved with the addition of POEgMAH and PPgMAH. The impact strength of PA6/PP nanocomposite with POEgMAH increased about 5 times higher than uncompatibilized composite. Increment in tensile properties was observed when PPgMAH was used as compatibilizer. XRD results revealed that PA6/PP nanocomposites were successfully formed. Uniform dispersion of PP in matrix were observed through SEM, which showed the improvement of the compatibility between polymers.     

Preparation and properties of polypropylene/org-attapulgite nanocomposites

Polypropylene (PP)/org-attapulgite (ATP) nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending in a mixer apparatus. Org-attapulgite was attained by silane coupling agent modification first and then graft-polymerization with butyl acrylate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to assess the clay morphology and the dispersion of the org-attapulgite, respectively. The changes of crystalline structure for PP nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mechanical properties of PP/attapulgite nanocomposites were studied through tensile and impact tests. The thermal and dynamic mechanical properties were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The strength and stiffness of PP/org-ATP nanocomposites were both improved significantly in the presence of organic attapulgite. In addition, the incorporation of org-ATP also gave rise to an increase of the storage modulus and the changes of the glass transition temperature for PP composites. TEM and XRD results revealed the addition of attapulgite did not change the crystal structure of PP, however org-attapulgite acted as nucleating agents for the crystallization of PP.     

Study on the structure and properties of cyanate ester/bentonite nanocomposites

Cyanate ester (CE)/bentonite (BT) nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending of CE with NH₄⁺‐BT. The nanostructure of CE/BT nanocomposites was studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that partially intercalated and partially exfoliated structures coexisted in CE/BT nanocomposites containing 2.5 wt % BT with respect to that of bulk CE. Below 2.5 wt % BT content, a totally exfoliated and disordered structure was formed in the nanocomposites. The exfoliated BT enhanced the toughness of CE/BT nanocomposites. The impact strength showed a maximum of 7.1kJ/m² at 1 wt % BT, compared to 3.8kJ/m² of pure CE. Furthermore, results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) suggest that CE/BT nanocomposites have higher thermal stability. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 632–637, 2005     

Investigation on the polyamide 6/organoclay nanocomposites with or without a maleated polyolefin elastomer as a toughener

Polyamide 6 (PA 6)-based nanocomposites were prepared using a melt-mixing technique in this study. One commercial organoclay (denoted 30B) and one maleated polyolefin elastomer (denoted POEMA) served as the reinforcing filler and toughener, respectively. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results confirmed the nano-scaled dispersion of 30B in the composites. Different mixing sequences presented similar phase morphology for the same formulated nanocomposites. XRD results also revealed that both 30B and POEMA would induce the formation of γ form PA 6 crystal, with 30B exhibiting a higher efficiency. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that the addition of 30B altered the crystallization kinetics of PA 6, which was mainly attributed to the prevailing formation of γ form crystal. Complex melting behaviors were observed for neat PA 6 and the nanocomposites. These complex behaviors are associated with different polymorphs and the ‘melting-recrystallization-remelting’ phenomenon. Moderate thermal stability enhancement of PA 6 after adding 30B and/or POEMA was confirmed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The storage modulus, Young's modulus and tensile strength of PA 6 were increased after adding 30B. However, these properties declined after further incorporation of POEMA. The different-processed PA 6/30B/POEMA nanocomposites displayed balanced tensile properties and toughness between those of neat PA 6 and PA 6/30B nanocomposite.     

Characteristics of impact modified polystyrene/organoclay nanocomposites

The poor impact resistance of Polystyrene (PS) was enhanced by the addition of elastomeric material, SEBS‐g‐MA. To prevent the reduction in strength and stiffness, organoclay Cloisite® 25A was used as filler and introduced into the matrix by a corotating twin screw extruder. Throughout the study, the clay content was kept at 2 wt%, whereas the content of SEBS‐g‐MA was varied between 5 and 40 wt%. It was found that Cloisite® 25A displays well dispersion in the ternary nanocomposites and the degree of dispersion increases with the elastomer content. The elastomeric phase has a greater viscosity than pure PS. Thus, as expected, at low elastomer contents, it forms the dispersed phase in the matrix as droplets. Transmission electron microscopy results show that the clay layers reside at the interphase between PS and elastomer and also inside the elastomeric phase. Owing to the location of the clay particles, the average elastomer domain size in ternary nanocomposites are found to be greater than that in the relative binary blends of PS‐(SEBS‐g‐MA). Moreover, with the organoclay addition, phase inversion point shifts to lower elastomer contents. The mechanical test results showed that the nanocomposites containing 15 and 20 wt% SEBS‐g‐MA have the optimum average domain size that results in high‐impact strength values without deteriorating the tensile properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1853–1861, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Fire‐retardant poly(ethylene terephthalate) by combination of expandable graphite and layered clays for plastics and textiles

Expandable graphite (EG) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were melt blended to develop a new nanocomposite intumescent flame retardant in which the effect of combination of EG with nanoclays would be exploited with sodium and organo‐modified montmorillonites, namely Cloisite^®Na, Cloisite^®10A and Cloisite^®30B. X‐ray diffraction analysis coupled to transmission electron microscopy and rheology shows that PET–EG–clay compounds are characterized by an exfoliated and/or intercalated morphology as a function of the type of clay. Thermal stability of composites is enhanced in nitrogen and air by filler adding as compared with neat PET, while combustion rate is decreased both in the bulk material and in textiles made of fibers spun from the compound. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ternary elastomer nanocomposites based on NR/BR/SBR: Effect of nanoclay composition

Elastomer nanocomposites based on natural rubber (NR), butadiene rubber (BR), and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) containing Cloisite 15A were prepared using a two‐roll mill. Mechanical, morphological, and rheological characterization of the prepared nanocomposites was carried out in order to study the effect of different nanoclay compositions, i.e., 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 wt %. Intercalation of the elastomer chains into the silicate layers was evidenced by d‐spacing values calculated according to the results of the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. This was directly confirmed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM). The results depict a decreasing trend in the optimum cure time (t₉₀) and scorch time (t₅) values of the nanocomposite samples with increasing nanoclay loading; where the elastic modulus (G′) and complex viscosity (η*) of the samples considerably increased. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites show a considerable increase in the tensile modulus of NR/BR/SBR/Cloisite 15A nanocomposites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Preparation and Electron Beam Irradiation of PVC/ENR/CNTs Nanocomposites

Poly (vinyl chloride), PVC/epoxidized natural rubber blend, ENR/carbon nanotubes, CNTs nanocomposites were prepared using melt intercalation and solution blending methods. In both preparation methods PVC: ENR: CNTs ratios were fixed at 50:50:2, while the 50/50 PVC/ENR blend without the addition of CNTs was used as control. The PVC/ENR/CNTs nanocomposites were exposed to electron beam (EB) irradiation at doses ranging from 0–200 kGy. The effects of two different preparation methods on the tensile properties, gel fraction and morphology of the PVC/ENR/CNTs nanocomposites were studied. Prior to EB irradiation, the addition of 2 phr of CNTs caused a drop in the tensile strength (Ts) of the 50/50 PVC/ENR blend, implying poor distribution of CNTs in the PVC/ENR blend matrix. However upon EB irradiation, the nanocomposites prepared by the melt blending method exhibited higher values of Ts as compared to the neat PVC/ENR blend due to occurrence of radiation-induced cross-linking in the PVC/ENR blend matrix. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images proved that a better dispersion of CNTs in PVC/ENR blend matrix can be achieved by melt intercalation compared to solution blending and the dispersion of CNTs was improved by irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed a distinct failure surface with formation of rough structure for the irradiated nanocomposites, which explains the higher values of tensile properties compared to the non-irradiated nanocomposites.     

Electroconductive polyblend fibers of polyamide‐6/polypropylene/polyaniline: Electrical,morphological, and mechanical characteristics

Melt spun drawn fibers were prepared using a ternary blend of PP/PA6/PANI‐complex (polypropylene/polyamide‐6/polyaniline‐complex). Their electrical and mechanical properties were compared to those of binary blend fibers of PP/PANI‐complex. The results of the morphological studies on 55:25:20 PP/PA6/PANI‐complex ternary fibers were found to be in accordance with the predicted morphology for the observed conductivity vs. fiber draw ratio. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of the ternary blend illustrated at least a three‐phase morphology of a matrix/core‐shell dispersed phase style, with widely varying sizes of droplets. This resulted in a dispersed morphology that, in some parts of the blend, approached a bicontinuous/dispersed phase morphology due to coalescence of the small droplets. The matrix was PP and the core‐shell dispersed phase was PA6 and PANI‐complex, in which a part of the PANI‐complex had encapsulated the PA6 phase and the remaining was solved/dispersed in the PA6 core, as later confirmed by X‐ray mapping. When the ternary blend fibers were compared to the binary fibers, the formers were able to combine better conductivity (of an order of 10^?3 S cm^?1) with a greater tensile strength only at a draw ratio of 5. This indicated that the draw ratio is more critical for the ternary blend fibers, because both conductivity and tensile strength depended on the formation of fibrils from the core‐shell dispersed phase of the PA6/PANI‐complex. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of controlled peroxide curing on the dynamic and capillary rheology of LLDPE/EMA/Clay nanocomposites

The effect of controlled dicumyl peroxide (DCP) curing on the rheological behavior of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)/ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA)/Closite^®20A nanocomposites were investigated under dynamic and steady shear flow (in a capillary) conditions. The nancomposites were melt‐compounded at 140°C, by varying the sequence of addition and amount of Cloisite^®20A and DCP. The nanocomposites were cured in a compression mold at 170°C for 12 min. Both the cured and uncurednancomposites showed non‐Newtonian behavior and the elastic response of both cured and uncurednanocomposites increases with increasing frequency. The activation energy of flow for LLDPE/EMA/Closite^®20A nanocomposites was increased with increasing DCP content. DCP‐cured nanocomposites exhibited shorter relaxation time than uncured nanocomposites. The die swell values are well correlated with relaxation results. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2814–2821, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation of polypropylene nanocomposites by melt‐mixing: Comparison between three organoclays

Polypropylene (PP)‐based nanocomposites reinforced with three different organoclays (Dellite^© 67 G, Cloisite^© 20, and Cloisite^© 30B) were prepared via melt‐mixing in an internal mixer. The three organoclays differ essentially via their organic modifier and interlamellar distance. The nanocomposites microstructure was characterized at different scales through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations, X‐ray diffractometry, and rheological measurements. The influence of processing parameters such as rotor speed and mixing time was quantified. The results show that Dellite^© 67 G and Cloisite^© 20 present a good dispersion state, with an intercalation of the tactoids by the polymer chains and a good level of exfoliation. In contrast, whatever the processing conditions, Cloisite^© 30B was not dispersed correctly in the matrix, showing neither intercalation nor exfoliation, even in the presence of compatibilizer. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45053.     

Polyamide-12 layered silicate nanocomposites by melt blending

Polyamide-12/tetrasilisic fluoromica (PA12-ME100) and polyamide-12/quaternary tallow ammonium chloride modified fluoromica nanocomposites (PA12-MAE) were prepared by melt compounding. The nanocomposite morphology and clay dispersion were investigated using wide angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), SEM-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), transmission electron miscroscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A predominantly intercalated morphology was observed for PA12-ME100, and a very high degree of exfoliation for PA12-MAE. HRTEM showed that the polymer crystallites lie perpendicular to the clay surface. The tensile and flexural properties of the PA12-MAE nanocomposite were significantly enhanced compared to neat polyamide-12, even with the addition of only 4 wt% nanoclay. Furthermore, the elongation at break (%) increased from 180% for polyamide-12 up to >500% for the PA12-MAE nanocomposite. In situ measurement of the heat generated in the test specimens during uniaxial tensile deformation using infra-red thermal imaging showed that the temperature of the dumbbell samples increased from room temperature (23 °C) to as high as 70 °C regardless of the strain rate used. This is considerably above the glass transition temperature (T_g) of PA12-MAE (30 °C), as measured by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The mechanism of deformation is partially explained in terms of microvoid formation. The shear viscosity of the PA12-MAE nanocomposite determined by dual capillary rheometry was lower than both neat polyamide-12 and PA12-ME100. The reduction in shear viscosity of the nanocomposites was shown, from gel permeation chromatography (GPC) studies, not to originate from polymer degradation during melt blending. The coefficient of thermal expansion, decomposition temperature, and melting and crystallisation temperatures and relative crystalline content of the nanocomposite materials were measured by thermo-mechanical analysis (TMA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) respectively—properties which can be related to polymer nanoclay interactions.