Polyurethane/clay nanocomposites with improved helium gas barrier and mechanical properties: Direct versus master‐batch melt mixing route

Abstract

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/clay nanocomposite films were produced by incorporation of organo‐modified montmorillonite clay (Cloisite 30B) in TPU matrix by two different melt‐mixing routes (direct and master‐batch‐based mixing), followed by compression molding. In master‐batch mixing where the master‐batch was prepared by mixing of clay and TPU in a solvent, better dispersion of clay‐layers was observed in comparison to the nanocomposites produced by direct mixing. As a consequence, superior mechanical and gas barrier properties were obtained by master‐batch mixing route. The master‐batch processing resulted in 284 and 236% increase in tearing strength and tearing energy, respectively, with 5 wt % clay‐loading. Interestingly, in case of master‐batch mixing, the tensile strength, stiffness as well as breaking extension increased simultaneously up to 3 wt % clay‐loading. The helium gas permeability reduced by about 39 and 31% for the TPU/clay nanocomposites produced by mater‐batch and direct mixing routes, respectively, at 3 wt % loading of clay. Finally, the gas permeability results have been compared using three different gas permeability models and a good correlation was observed at lower volume fraction of clay. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46422.

Filler-Modified Castor Oil-Based Polyurethane Foam for the Removal of Aqueous Heavy Metals Detected Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) Technique

“…Z/COPUF and B/COPUF came after CPUF, where both of them were modified with clay filler. The addition of clays was substantiated to increase the hydrophilicity of the material [33,34]. It was due to the charged clay surface, which facilitated more interaction with the water molecule.…”

Interfacial interactions and properties of cellular structured polyurethane nanocomposite based on carbonaceous nano‐fillers

“…In this study, the materials used were TPU (Texin SUN 3006; Mn 79,000; Mw 211,000) 23 from Covestro (India) Pvt. Ltd. and various hierarchical carbonaceous nano-fillers viz.…”

Recyclable polyurethane/nanoclay films

“…Polyurethane (PU)/clay systems are one of the current organic/inorganic nanocomposites being extensively studied . The main goal of such studies is the preparation of materials with targeted functional properties.…”

“…The main goal of such studies is the preparation of materials with targeted functional properties. The presence of clay in a PU matrix can positively influence gas transport , mechanical , thermal , tear , and anticorrosion properties of nanocomposites. PU/clay composites can also be used as scratch‐resistant , flame‐retardant or shape‐memory materials .…”

“…The above‐mentioned modification consists of the incorporated organic compounds into the layers, which results in an increase in the interlayered spaces and an improvement of the polymer–filler compatibility. Cloisite® 30B, which is a methyl, tallow, bis‐2‐hydroxyethyl, quaternary ammonium (MT 2 EtOH) salt‐modified montmorillonite, is a commonly used filler . Another popular clay filler is Cloisite® 15A, which is a benzyl(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)dimethyl‐modified clay .…”