Mechanical and thermal behavior of clay-reinforced aramid nanocomposite materials

Nanocomposites were prepared from organoclay and aramid obtained from 4-aminophenylsulfone and isophthaloyl chloride in dimethylacetamide. Thin hybrid films were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, tensile testing, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and water absorption measurements. Improvements in tensile modulus (122%), mechanical strength (46%), and glass transition temperatures (43%) relative to pristine aramid were observed. These nanocomposites were thermally stable in the range 225–450°C. Water uptake and permeability of the nanocomposites was reduced at higher loadings of organoclay. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]