Thermal properties and crystallisation behaviour of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) nanocomposites

The effect of preparation technique on the crystallisation behavior and thermal properties of TPNR filled nanoclay nanocomposites was investigated. The nanocomposites were prepared via melt blending method using internal mixer (Haake 600P). Two types of nanocomposites preparation technique were employed which is method A and B. In method A, the nanoclay was pre-mixed with liquid natural rubber (LNR) before it was charged into the other materials. For method B, the nanoclay was directly charged into the molten TPNR matrix. The result shows, preparation methods were significantly affect the crystallinity and thermal properties of TPNR nanocomposites. DSC thermogram revealed that nanocomposites crystallinity was increased when prepared by method A but decreased with method B. An increment in polypropylene crystallinity was attributed by the nanoclay which is believed to be as a nucleating agent. DMA thermogram suggested that the preparation method has affected the storage modulus and tan δ but not the glass transition temperature (t_g).