Influence of processing temperature on the rheological behavior of PCL/MMT nanocomposites

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable polymer; however, this polymer had low mechanical strength, limiting its applications. The addition of a lamellar silicate (MMT) can alter this behavior, especially when the filler is well dispersed and distributed thru the polymeric matrix. In this work the influence of the processing temperature in the structure of PCL/MMT nanocomposites was studied. The nanocomposites were obtained by melt intercalation in a Haake rheometer at two temperatures: 80 and 120 deg C. Wide angle X-ray analysis showed that the intercalation of the polymer chains into the clay's galleries was not influenced by the processing temperature. However, the steady state and dynamic rheological properties showed that the higher the processing temperature the better the dispersion and distribution of the clay thru the matrix, without having polymer degradation. (author)