Some clay nanocomposites based on a high-temperature, high-performance polymer

The techniques of reinforcing relatively tractible polymers by means of int ercalated and exfoliated clay particles are applied here to the more challe nging case of a necessarily less tractible high-performance polymer. The po lymer, poly(biphenyl ether triphenylphosphate), was chosen because of its e arlier characterization in U.S. Air Force programs developing such composit es. Conditions were found in which the polymer intercalated and exfoliated a montmorillonite clay, and the resulting nanocomposites were characterized with regard to their structures, thermal properties, and mechanical proper ties. As was found in previous investigations of high-performance materials , it was possible to improve a few properties, but then only at the cost of undesirable changes in other properties. In the present case, it was at le ast somewhat possible to increase thermal stability and to significantly in crease extension moduli.