Rheological Properties of Poly(methyl methacrylate)/Nanoclay Composites As Investigated by Creep Recovery in Shear

Abstract

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/nanoclay composites with different filler fractions were prepared by a combined solution and melt mixing route. Three PMMA matrices of different molar masses but very similar polydispersities were used. Creep and creep-recovery experiments were performed in the linear and nonlinear regime. While the creep compliances remained nearly unchanged by the filler addition, the recoverable creep compliances were strongly influenced by the addition of the nanoclay in dependence on the volume fraction. Up to a 10-fold increase of the recoverable creep compliance compared to the matrix was found. The findings can be explained by assuming an interaction between some of the PMMA molecules and the particle surfaces resulting in a decline of molecular mobility.