Effects of Surfactants on the Thermal and Fire Properties of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)/Clay Nanocomposites

Authors

Panchatapa Jash, Marquette University
Charles A. Wilkie, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2005

Source Publication

Polymer Degradation and Stability

Source ISSN

0141-3910

Abstract

Nanocomposites of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with layered silicates and with polyhedral oligosilsesquioxanes (POSS) were prepared by bulk polymerization. The thermal and fire stabilities of the various organically-modified clay and POSS nanocomposites were evaluated using both thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and cone calorimetry. Thermogravimetric analysis is not a good criteria for evaluating nanocomposite formation but cone calorimetry can be. For montmorillonite systems, when more than 4% clay is present, the expected reduction in peak heat release rate is observed. For hectorite, a minimum of 6% clay concentration is required to achieve the same reduction in peak heat release rate. POSS has the potential to reduce the peak heat release rate but one must be careful in selecting the POSS material to be evaluated.

Comments

Accepted version. Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 88, No. 3 (June 2005): 401-406. DOI. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Jash, Panchatapa and Wilkie, Charles A., "Effects of Surfactants on the Thermal and Fire Properties of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)/Clay Nanocomposites" (2005). Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications. 127.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/chem_fac/127