Preparation and characterization of layered silicate-modified ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene nanocomposites

In this study, organically treated montmorillonite (MMT)/ultrahigh- molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) nanocomposites were prepared by using a melt intercalation technique. The interlayer properties of the nanocomposites were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The thermal and mechanical interfacial properties of the nanocomposites were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the use of a universal test machine (UTM). XRD indicated that the nanocomposites were formed upon exfoliation of MMT in the polymer matrix. From the TGA results, we found that the thermal stability of the nanocomposites increased as the MMT content increased, which we attribute to the hindered diffusion of volatile decomposition products within the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites showed higher tearing energies and tensile strengths than those of pristine UHMWPE; this finding indicates that the interfacial and mechanical properties were improved by the addition of MMT.