Preparation and characterization of vinylsilane crosslinked high‐density polyethylene composites filled with nanoclays

High‐density polyethylene (HDPE) treated with various vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) contents and filled with different Cloisite 15A contents were investigated. VTES was used to improve the HDPE‐clay interaction. The morphology and extent of crosslinking, as well as the thermal, mechanical, and thermomechanical properties were studied. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results of the treated HDPE/clay nanocomposites showed an increase in interlayer spacing, which indicates that the polymer chains were intercalated between the clay layers. Transmission electron microscopy micrographs showed some evidence of exfoliated clay layers, indicating that the system exhibited a mixed morphology. The clay containing samples had a better thermal stability than HDPE, but the thermal stability did not differ much with increasing clay loading. VTES observably decreased the melting enthalpy of HDPE, while the presence of clay had little influence on this value. This is somewhat contrary to the gel content results, which showed a decrease in the extent of crosslinking in the presence of clay and with increasing clay content. VTES treatment and the presence of clay observably changed the dynamic mechanical and tensile behavior of the HDPE. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1720–1727, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers