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Abstract
Polycarbonate (PC) nanoclay composites and noryl nanoclay composites were prepared by melt blending technique both in presence and absence of compatibilizer. The compatibilizer used for dispersing nanoclay in PC was poly (caprolactone) (PCL). In case of noryl, polystyrene (PS) was used as a compatibilizer. The nanoclay used in this study is Cloisite 20 A. The main aim in utilizing the nanoclay was to improve the mechanical properties and reduce the viscosity of the amorphous thermoplastic nanocomposites. Vibration welding has been done on pure and nanoclay-filled PC and noryl polymer matrices. The dispersion of nanoclay in the polymer matrices was observed through high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Both PC and noryl nanocomposites prepared in presence of compatibilizers showed better dispersion of nanoclay platelets in the polymer matrices compared to the nanocomposites system prepared in absence of compatibilizer. The nanoclay filled polymer systems show increase in percentage crystalinity compared to the pure ones, which may be due to the nucleating effect of nanoclay. The mechanical properties were tested for the pure and nanoclay-filled PC and noryl welded joints. The mechanical properties showed a drop for the polymer nanocomposites, which contains nanoclay dispersed directly in the polymer matrices. On the other hand, PC and noryl nanocomposites prepared in the presence of compatibilizer showed improved mechanical properties compared to pure one. The compatibilizer helps to improve the dispersion of nanoclay platelets in the base polymer matrix. This indeed improves the weld strength of the thermoplastic nanocomposites.