Nanocompósitos de PVC com argila organicamente modificada: efeitos do processamento e do método de incorpora？？o da argila

nanocomposites of poly(vinyl chloride) (pvc) and an organically modified montmorillonite (o-mmt) were prepared using different production approaches to assess possible effects on the degree of clay intercalation/exfoliation. the morphology of the nanocomposites was studied using x ray diffratometry and transmission electron microscopy. tensile properties and static thermal stability were also evaluated. hybrid intercalated/partially exfoliated nanocomposites were obtained, regardless of whether the pvc compound was processed from the powder (dry blend) or granulated (extruded) samples, or of the methodology used for incorporation of o-mmt into the pvc compound (directly in the intensive mixer or pre-exfoliated in a hot mixture of didp/eso). the plasticizers, present in the flexible pvc compound, exerted an important role in the process of intercalation and exfoliation of the clay, helping the formation of the nanocomposites.