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Research Publications (Engineering and Built Environment)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/215

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Author: search.filters.author.Kanny, KrishnanSubject: search.filters.subject.Nanocomposites (Materials)

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    Melt blend studies of nanoclay-filled polypropylene (PP)–high- density polyethylene (HDPE) composites
    (Springer, 2013) Mohan, T. P.; Kanny, Krishnan
    The objective of this work is to study how the rheological factors of unfilled and nanoclay-filled HDPE– PP blend series influence the structure, morphology, and mixing characteristics. For this study, a series of HDPE–PP blends (0–100 wt % HDPE), with and without nanoclay, was prepared by using melt-mixing method. Nanoclay was varied from 0 to 5 wt % in all the blend and polymer series. The rheological properties were examined by melt viscosity, scanning electron microscopy, and theory of mixing. The result indicated that the viscosity of the blend increased as HDPE and nanoclay content increased, and also affected the structure and morphology of the resulting blend. The thermal properties were examined by using differential scanning calorimetry and suggest improved crystalline and melting characteristics of PP and PP-rich phase of blend. The structure of nanoclay-filled blend was examined by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, confirming the formation of nanocomposite with improved tensile properties.
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    Effect of nanoclay in HDPE–glass fiber composites on processing, structure, and properties
    (Taylor and Francis, 2012-10-23) Mohan, T. P.; Kanny, Krishnan
    Natural Na+ montmorillonite (MMT) microclay and organo-treated MMT nanoclay were independently filled in a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) polymer and HDPE–glass fiber (GF) composite and the rheological and mechanical properties were examined. The addition of nanoclay in the HDPE polymer and HDPE–GF composite increased the melt viscosity, rate of crystallization, and crystalline fraction. Addition of Na+ MMT clay on the other hand did not affect the crystalline properties, but increased the melt viscosity marginally. The composite was also examined after the addition of a polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride-based compatibilizer. It was found that the compatibilizer improved the dispersion of clay particles in the polymer matrix which in turn affected the rheological and mechanical properties of the composite. Improved tensile and wear properties were observed in nanoclay-filled composites when compared to microclay-filled composites.