Here we report the effect of montmorillonite nanoclay addition on an initially amorphous high-Tg cycloaliphatic terephthalate copolyester. The chosen clay leads to an intercalated nanocomposite, while its presence appears to induce a small amount of crystallization as well as changes in the crystalline microstructure. The effects of this subtle change in microstructure are nevertheless quite striking; tensile testing indicates increased stiffness and strength coupled with retention of ductility at very low loadings of nanofiller, contrary to expected trends on polymers with high glass transition temperatures. Given the right choice of nanoclay type and content, these results show that the stiffness, strength and ductility of this copolyester may be improved simultaneously.

Cycloaliphatic terephthalate co-polyester clay nanocomposites

245th National Meeting (2013)

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