Styrene-Acrylonitrile Copolymer Montmorillonite Nanocomposite: Processing, Characterization and Flammability.
Styrene-Acrylonitrile Copolymer Montmorillonite
Nanocomposite: Processing, Characterization and
Gilman, J. W.; Bourbigot, S.; Bellayer, S.; Stretz, H.;
Paul, D. R.
Fire Retardancy of Polymers. New Applications of
Mineral Fillers. Chapter 13, Royal Society of
Chemistry, Cambridge, UK, 177-186 p., 2005.
nanocomposites; flammability; polymers; styrene; clay;
spectroscopy; tensile properties; cone calorimeters;
mass loss; dispersions
Interest in polymer clay nanocomposites has increased
significantly in recent years. Property improvements
include better mechanical properties, better barrier
properties, lower water absorption and reduced
flammability. To achieve these properties, mica-type
layered silicates, such as montmorillonite (MMT), are
generally dispersed at the nanoscale in the polymer to
yield the so-called "nanocomposite".
The pioneering work of Oilman et al demonstrated that
the presence of montmorillonite clay produces a
substantial improvement in fire performance in polymeric
matrices such as polystyrene and polyamides. The purpose
of this work is to investigate the melt-processing of
styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) with MMT clays and
the influence of the clay on mechanical properties and
on fire performance of SAN. Our work is included in a
larger project aimed at understanding the flame
retardancy of ABS. Computer housings are typically made
from acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymer and
related blends and these polymers must meet safety