Study on thermoplastic polyurethane/montmorillonite nanocomposites

Abstract The thermoplastic polyurethane/montmorillonite (TPU/MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation. The structure and property of the TPU/MMT nanocomposites were studied by XRD, TEM, TG, Molau test, and mechanical property measurement. The interlayer spacing between the MMT platelets in TPU/MMT nanocomposites blended for 10 and 15 min was the same. The silicate platelets were dispersed in TPU matrix on 5–15 nm scale for TPU/MMT nanocomposites. The interface interaction between the silicate layers and TPU matrix for TPU/MMT nanocomposites was strong. Compared to those of pure TPU, the tensile strength and tear strength of the TPU/MMT nanocomposites increased. The tensile strength and tear strength of the TPU/MMT nanocomposites decreased with increasing blending time because of the degradation of the TPU matrix. The thermal stability of the TPU/MMT nanocomposites was lower than that of the pure TPU in the first step, whereas in the second step, the TPU/MMT nanocomposites showed higher thermal stability. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers