Study of nanocomposites prepared by melt blending TPU and montmorillonite

Abstract The intercalated thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending TPU and organic octadecylammonium‐treated MMT (ODA‐MMT) at 150–155°C for 10 min. Compared with those of TPU/montmorillonite composites, the interface interaction and dispersion of TPU/ODA‐MMT nanocomposites were improved remarkably. The tensile strength and tear strength of the TPU/ODA‐MMT nanocomposites were higher than those of pure TPU, and the MMT platelets dispersed on the nanometer scale in TPU matrix had reinforce effect. Due to the “labyrinth” effect of the MMT platelets dispersed on the nanometer scale in the TPU matrix caused by the eximious barrier and strong interaction between the MMT platelets and TPU, the temperature of initial weight loss of the TPU/ODA‐MMT nanocomposites was higher than that of pure TPU and TPU/MMT composites in the second thermodegradation step. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers