Influence of Styrene Maleic Anhydride Compatibilizer on the Properties of Polyurethane Carbon Nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study styrene maleic anhydride polymer was used as compatibilizer in making nanocomposites of polyurethane with carbon nanotubes (single walled) using twin screw extruder. The dispersion of nanotubes in polymer matrix was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The thermal properties were analysed using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyser. The tensile strength of the nanocomposites was estimated using Instron tensile testing machine. The result reveals that the addition of compatibilizer increases the tensile strength and the degradation temperature. In addition the energy calculation shows by using the compatibilizer the energy consumption of the extruder can be reduced.