Morphological, Dynamic Mechanical, Creep and Weathering Behavior of Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced 50/50 ASA/Zn-Ionomer Blend

ABSTRACT

The nanocomposite of 50/50 acrylonitrile styrene acrylate/Zn-ionomer blend uses varying weight ratios (0.5–5.0%) of multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The morphological, thermal, thermomechanical, and creep behavior along with metal adhesion were evaluated. The phase-separated surface morphology of the blend formed non-uniform microscale nanotube dispersion and resulted in nanotube network formation at 1 wt%. Lowest creep compliance and increased complex modulus were found at 1 wt% nanotube loading. The presence of weather resistant acrylonitrile styrene acrylate and carbon nanotubes made the nanocomposite excellent weather resistant.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Creep
• dynamic mechanical analysis
• ionomer
• nanocomposite
• thermal analysis

Acknowledgments

We duly acknowledge the Sophisticated Analytical Instrumental Facility (SAIF), IIT Bombay for TEM analysis.