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Thesis
Texture evolution in processing of polystyrene-clay nanocomposites
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jul 2007
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-1773
Abstract
Polymers are used in a wide variety of applications, including but not limited to construction plastics materials, electronics and communications, surface coatings, packaging, and automobiles. They are used extensively because they are lightweight, relatively inexpensive, and have desirable properties. A prominent area of interest lies in the enhancement of material properties in polymer systems. The primary method of property enhancement has been the addition of a secondary phase, usually on the nanoscale such as layered silicate clays or carbon nanotubes. The purpose of this study was to develop an innovative technique to study the microstructure of polymer-clay nanocomposites. An X-ray diffraction technique was developed which allows non-destructive evaluation of orientation distribution of clay plates in polystyrene with two different morphologies: intercalated and phase separated. X-ray diraction, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and light absorption were used to characterize the composites. Observation of texture evolution as a function of strain in polystyrene montmorillonite composites was reported, as was the dierence in texture evolution between intercalated and phase separated samples. The dierence between texture evolution was also reported using two dierent diraction peaks from the same mixed sample, the intercalated peak and the phase separated peak.
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Details
- Title
- Texture evolution in processing of polystyrene-clay nanocomposites
- Creators
- David Richard Steinmetz - DU
- Contributors
- Surya Kalidindi (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)Christopher Y. Li (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Materials (Science and) Engineering (Metallurgical Engineering) [Historical]; College of Engineering (1970-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 1773; 991014632431804721