DEVELOPMENT DESIRED PROPERTIES OF POLYSTYRENE NANO COMPOSITES BY ADDING POLYMERIC MODIFIERS

Abstract

The introduction of polymeric blend-based nanomaterials has encouraged the development of flexible nanocomposites for structural applications in need of superior mechanical, performance. In current research, three groups of polystyrene blend-based nanocomposites samples were fabricated by melting technique using a twin-screw extruder. These samples consist of polymer blend (polystyrene (PS): 1% copolymer (polystyrene (PS)-co- maleic anhydride (MA)): 3%ABS) as a matrix material, was strengthen by three different type of powders in nanometer size (silica (SiO2), cement kiln dust (CKD) and Fly ash (FA)) individually, with selected weight ratio (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 & 0.8 wt. %) for each of them. Experimental investigation was carried out for tensile properties and fatigue strength besides FTIR test and morphology analyzing of fracture surfaces by SEM. The results showed that tensile strength values and modulus of elasticity increased as the nanoparticle content in composite increased, but according to specific percentages of nanoparticle content in the composites samples, for three groups of the prepared nanocomposites samples. Moreover, the fatigue test revealed the super-improvement in the fatigue properties of the selected hybrid nanocomposites samples, as compared with neat polystyrene and polymer blend (PS: 1% (PS-co-MA): 3% ABS) and fatigue limit was apparent for all types of hybrid nanocomposites materials produced in this work. Morphology of the fracture surface was showed a homogeneous structure formation for optimal samples of each group of composites, indicating a good compatibility between the component materials of polymer blend and the reinforcement nanoparticles.

Keywords

• Fatigue properties
• polystyrene
• polymer blend
• nanoparticles
• hybrid composite