Mechanical properties of attapulgite clay reinforced polyurethane shape-memory nanocomposites

Bin Xu, W. M. Huang, Y. T. Pei, Z. G. Chen, A. Kraft, R. Reuben, J. Th M De Hosson, Y. Q. Fu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

112 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nanocomposites based on attapulgite clay and shape-memory polyurethane were fabricated by mechanical mixing. The mechanical properties of samples were evaluated using a micro-indentation tester. The untreated commercial attapulgite clay resulted in a significant decrease in glass transition temperature and hardness of the nanocomposite due to the presence of moisture as well as the clay's amorphous structure and surface hydroxyl groups. The attapulgite nanoparticles were heat-treated at 850 °C, which resulted in crystallization of the particles and formation of layered attapulgite structure. The hardness of the nanocomposites composed of the heat treated clay powder dramatically increased as a function of clay content, which is attributed to the homogeneous dispersion of the nanofillers in the polymer matrix and strong filler-polymer interactions. Shape recovery of indentations has been demonstrated upon heating.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1904-1911
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Polymer Journal
Volume45
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2009

Keywords

  • Microhardness
  • Nano-clay
  • Nanocomposites
  • Polyurethane
  • Shape memory
  • Vickers indentation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Organic Chemistry

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