Preparation and characterization of polyphenylene oxide/clay composites

To figure out the effect of inorganic filler clay on the polyphenylene oxide (PPO) material, the PPO/clay composites were prepared via the extrusion process. The rheometer, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetic analysis (TGA), Vicat softening temperature, universal testing machine and the impact testing machine were applied for the analyses of rheology, morphology, thermal and mechanical performance of the composites. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) of the composites increased about 7 ℃ and the decomposition temperatures (T5%) increased about 5 ℃ with addition of clay upto 7.5 wt%. The Vicat softening temperature and flexural modulus increased with the increasing of clay content, while the melt viscosity, tensile elongation and impact performance decreased. By using KH550 or KH560 for the surface treatment of clay, the melt viscosity, SEM and tensile results confirmed the improved interaction of clay with PPO resin.