Influence of Micro- and Nanonatural Fillers on Mechanical and Physical Properties of Foamed SMA Composites

Abstract

This study is to investigate the reinforcing effects of fillers on mechanical and physical properties of foamed styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA) composites. According to the results, the best foaming was determined for starch reinforced SMA composite. The best result of expansion ratio was found as 22.75% to SMA/starch composites. Stereo light microscopy results demonstrated that the foamed cell distribution is heterogeneous and composed of two sections. The minimum density was found as 0.64 g/cm³ for foamed SMA/starch composites. Mechanical properties of all foamed composites were found to be low as compared to neat SMA composite.

Keywords:

• Cellulose nanofibrils
• Foamed SMA composites
• Nano-/Macrofillers
• Specific mechanical properties
• Styrene maleic anhydride copolymer

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors thank Chris West and Wesley Bison for the sample preparation.

Notes

Color versions of one or more of the figures in the article can be found online at www.tandfonline.com/lpte.