Polyetherimide (PEI) / Silicone Rubber Composite Reinforced With Nanosilica Particles

摘要

The present investigation is aimed to prepare polyetherimide (PEI)/silicone rubber nanocomposites reinforced with various amounts of loading (phr) of modified nanosilica using melt mixing process with the help of co-rotating twin screw extruder. Microstructures of the developed nanocomposites have been studied by XRD and SEM. Thermal properties of the developed nanocomposites have been analyzed by TGA. Developed nanocomposites have shown remarkable improvement in mechanical, thermal and morphological properties due to better interfacial adhesion between nanosilica and polymer matrix at 3 phr loading of nanofillers. The addition of nanosilica in polymer matrix has enhanced the thermal stability appreciably at 3 phr loading. This might be attributed to excellent interfacial adhesion and interaction between the nanosilica particles and polymer matrix. SEM micrographs reveal that the entire surface of developed nanocomposites is smooth and has no voids and cavities. It is also evident from SEM images that there is excellent dispersion of nanosilica throughout the entire polymer matrix. Mechanical properties results demonstrate that there is significant in modulus, strength, hardness, impact etc. due to its uniform and homogeneous dispersion of nanosilica in polymer matrix.