Structure and mechanical properties of nanocomposites based on polypropilene and polyethylene

Polymer clay nanocomposites are a new class of materials which show improved properties at very low loading levels of nanofiller comparing to conventional particulate composites of thermoplastic material. Polymer nanocomposites exhibit superior mechanical properties, reduced gas permeability, improved solvent resistance and enhanced conductivity over polymers. The enhanced reinforcement is a result of the much greater surface to volume ratio of these high aspect ratio fillers. The effect of clay treatment on physical and structural properties of polypropylene (PP J600) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) nanocomposite have been studied. The analysis of polypropylene and polyethylene nanocomposites was made by means of XRD, FT-IR, DSC and AFM methods.