Ternary nanocomposites: Curing, morphology, and mechanical properties of epoxy/thermoplastic/organoclay systems

The influence of two organically modified montmorillonites on the curing, morphology and mechanical properties of epoxy/poly(vinyl acetate)/organoclay ternary nanocomposites was studied. The organoclays and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) provoked contrary effects on the epoxy curing reaction. Ternary nanocomposites developed different morphologies depending on the PVAc content, that were similar to those observed in the epoxy/PVAc binary blends. The organoclays were only located in the epoxy phase independently of the morphology. All nanocomposites showed intercalated structures with similar clay interlayer distances. Both PVAc and organoclays lowered the T _g of the epoxy phase, the presence of clays did not influence the T _g of the PVAc phase. The addition of the organoclays to the epoxy improved stiffness but lowered ductility while the adition of PVAc improved toughness although reduced stiffness of epoxy thermoset. Ternary nanocomposites exhibited optimal properties that combine the favourable effects of the clay and the thermoplastic. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2184–2195, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers