Mechanical properties and structure development in poly(butylene succinate)/organo-montmorillonite nanocomposites under uniaxial cold rolling

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites have potentially enhanced properties when the molecular orientations of the polymer chains can be controlled. In this study, the mechanical and structural properties of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and 2wt% organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) filled PBS nanocomposites were modified by uniaxial cold rolling. Cold rolling was carried out to different compression ratios. The mechanical properties of rolled samples were studied in both the machine direction (MD) and the transverse direction (TD). Along the MD, distinct improvements in tensile strength and elongation at break were observed. However, the tensile strength degraded along the TD. Wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and microwave molecular orientation analysis reported on the degree of molecular orientation after rolling. Further, degree of crystallinity was reduced after cold rolling.