DEVELOPMENT DESIRED PROPERTIES OF POLYSTYRENE NANO COMPOSITES BY ADDING POLYMERIC MODIFIERS

The introduction of polymeric blend-based nanomaterials has encouraged the developmentof flexible nanocomposites for structural applications in need of superior mechanical,performance. In current research, three groups of polystyrene blend-based nanocompositessamples were fabricated by melting technique using a twin-screw extruder. These samplesconsist of polymer blend (polystyrene (PS): 1% copolymer (polystyrene (PS)-co- maleicanhydride (MA)): 3%ABS) as a matrix material, was strengthen by three different type ofpowders in nanometer size (silica (SiO2), cement kiln dust (CKD) and Fly ash (FA))individually, with selected weight ratio (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 & 0.8 wt. %) for each of them.Experimental investigation was carried out for tensile properties and fatigue strength besidesFTIR test and morphology analyzing of fracture surfaces by SEM. The results showed thattensile strength values and modulus of elasticity increased as the nanoparticle content incomposite increased, but according to specific percentages of nanoparticle content in thecomposites samples, for three groups of the prepared nanocomposites samples. Moreover,the fatigue test revealed the super-improvement in the fatigue properties of the selectedhybrid nanocomposites samples, as compared with neat polystyrene and polymer blend (PS:1% (PS-co-MA): 3% ABS) and fatigue limit was apparent for all types of hybridnanocomposites materials produced in this work. Morphology of the fracture surface wasshowed a homogeneous structure formation for optimal samples of each group ofcomposites, indicating a good compatibility between the component materials of polymerblend and the reinforcement nanoparticles.