Thermal properties and flammability of acrylic nanocomposites based upon organophilic layered silicates

Summary Thermal and mechanical properties of poly(methylmethacrylate-co-dodecylmethacrylate) nanocomposites based upon exfoliated organophilic layered silicates, were investigated as a function of the silicate and comonomer content. Layered silicates such as sodium bentonite were rendered organophilic by means of ion-exchanging sodium cations for N,N,N,N-dioctadecyl-dimethyl-ammonium cations. Silicate exfoliation was enhanced by means of 5 and 10 wt.-% dodecyl-methacrylate (LMA) addition to afford translucent reinforced acrylic nanocomposites. In contrast to conventional filled acrylic polymers, only 10 wt.-% organophilic silicate was sufficient to increase Young's modulus from 2200 to 4030 MPa, glass temperature from 72 to 80 °C and degradation temperature from 220 to 256 °C with respect to the neat MMA/LMA (90 wt.-%/10 wt.-%) copolymer. Flammability studies, performed on a cone calorimeter, revealed that the maximum heat release rate of MMA/LMA copolymer nanocomposite decreased from 837 kW/m² to 566 kW/m². The nanocomposite morphology was examined by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Received: 28 May 1999/Revised version: 24 September 1999/Accepted: 24 September 1999