• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.4A
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• pp.761-766
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• 2006

Polymer composite are increasingly considered as structural components for use in civil engineering, on account of their enhanced strength-to-weight ratios. Unsaturated polyester (UP) resin have been widely used for the matrix of composites such as FRP and polymer composite, due to its excellent adhesive. Polymer nanocomposites are new class of composites derived from the nano scale inorganic particles with dimensions typically in the range of 1 to 1000 nm that are dispersed in the polymer matrix homogeneously. Owing to the high aspect ratio of the fillers, mechanical, thermal, flame, retardant and barrier properties are enhanced without significant loss of clarity, toughness or impact strength. To prepare the MMT (Montmorillonite)-UP exfoliated nanocomposites, UP was mixed with MMT at $60^{\circ}C$ for 3 hours by using pan mixer. XRD (X-ray diffraction) pattern of the composites and TEM (Transmission Electron Micrographs) showed that the interlayer spacing of the modified MMT were exfoliated in polymer matrix. The mechanical properties also supported these findings, since in general, tensile strength, modulus with modified MMT were higher than those of the composites with unmodified MMT. The thermal stability of MMT-UP nanocomposite is better than that of pure UP, and its glass transition temperature is higher than that of pure UP. The polymer concrete made with MMT-UP nanocomposite has better mechanical properties than of pure UP. Therefore, it is suggested that strength and elastic modulus of polymer concrete was found to be positively tensile strength and tensile modulus of the MMT-UP nanocomposites.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.589-595
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• 2003

Unsaturated polyester (UP) nanocomposite with montmorillonite (MMT) which contains different types of organic modifiers far nano-filler have been prepared to investigate the effect of chemical structure of organic modifiers and mixing time of all components on properties of products. It was found that the morphology and various physical properties of UP/MMT nanocomposites were influenced by properties of organic modifiers of MMTs. It was also confirmed that the content of MMT does not significantly affect properties of UP/MMT nanocomposites.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.271-276
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• 2005

Polypropylene (PP)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing methods. MMT modified by dimethyl hydrogenated tallow 2-ethylhexyl ammonium (Cloisite 15A) was used. Polyolefine oligomer with telechelic OH groups was used as a compatibilizer. The degree of dispersion of MMT in the nanocomposites was measured by X-ray diffractometer and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images. MMT was well exfoliated when the contents of compatibilizer was 25 phr. The thermal stability that observed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) increased with the contents of MMT increased up to 5 phr. The complex viscosities and storage moduli of PP nanocomposites enhanced as the contents of compatibilizer decreased and those of MMT increased.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.399-402
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• 2005

In this study, ethyl cellulose (EC)/montmorilloniote(MMT) nanocomposite films plasticized with environmental-friendly plasticizer (BET, EBN, ESO) were prepared by melt process using Hakke mixer. The $T_g$ of plasticized EC films decreased from 122 to $71^{circ}C$ with the increase in the BET content up to 30 $wt\%$. The addition of 10 $wt\%$ epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) as the second plasticizer cause the further drop of $T_g$ from 81 to $61^{circ}C$. The plasticizer-effect of BET was better than that of EBN. When the plasticizer was added into the EC films, the mechanical properties of EC films was decreased, however the addition of monotmorillonite (MMT) into the EC films or the ring opening reaction of ESO plasticizer cause enhancement of mechanical properties.