Copolymers from different feed compositions of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate (THFA) were synthesized using free radical polymerization in toluene solution at 70±1°C using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator. The polymers were characterized by 1 H NMR,13C NMR and DEPT spectroscopic techniques. The copolymer compositions were determined using 1H NMR analysis. Reactivity ratios for GMA and THFA were determined by the Kelen-Tudos, TidwellMortimer and error-in-variables model methods. The results showed that all these copolymerizations were strictly linear systems describable by the Mayo-Lewis equation based on the terminal model and that accurate reactivity ratio data can be obtained.
Hybrid composites of polypropylene (PP)/nanoclay (NC)/glass fiber (GF) were prepared byextrusion and injection molding. Molded specimens were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile and flexural tests. TEM results revealed NC particle intercalation. TGA results showed that the incorporation of clay into the GF composite improves the thermal stability of the material. The initial thermal decomposition temperatures also shifted to higher values. Incorporation of GF into PP lowers the tensile strength of the binary composite, indicating poor fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion. However, introducing NC increased the strength of the ternary composites. Tensile modulus was enhanced with the incorporation of GF and further increased with an introduction of NC. Flexural strength and flexural modulus are both enhanced with an increase in GF and NC loading.