Effect of layered silicate on EPDM/EVA blend nanocomposite: Dynamic mechanical, thermal, and swelling properties

Polymer blend nanocomposites have been developed by solution method using ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA-45) copolymer, and organically modified layered silicate. Morphological investigation made by wide-angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic analysis indicates intercalated structure of EPDM/EVA nanocomposites with partial disorder. Scanning electron microscopic studies exhibit the phase behavior of EPDM/EVA blend nanocomposites. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis shows a significant increase in storage modulus in the rubbery plateau. The decrease in damping (tan delta) value and enhanced glass-transition temperature (T-g) demonstrate the reinforcing effect of layered silicate in the EPDM/EVA blend matrix. The tensile modulus of these nanocomposites also showed a significant improvement with the filler content. The main chain scission of EPDM/EVA blend nanocomposites compared with the neat EPDM/EVA blend showed substantial improvement in thermal stability in nitrogen, whereas a sizeable increase is observed in air.