Studies in Finishing Effects of Clay Mineral in Polymers and Synthetic Fibers

Table 3

Possible effects of clay mineral on the performance of polymeric material.

S. no.	Clay Mineral	Polymeric Material	Method	Performance effects
1	Mt, Silica	Nylon 11	Melt processing	(i) Improved flame retardancy; (ii) Improved thermal stability; (iii) Increased tensile strength
2	Mt	Mt-nylon 6 (nm) composite	Melt bending or compounding technique	(i) Increased tensile and flexural strength; (ii) Increased stiffness; (iii) Increased heat distortion temperature
3	Mt-modified with quaternary ammonium salt	Polypropylene	Introduced in polypropylene prior extrusion	(i) Improved uptake for acid and disperse dyestuff; (ii) Enhanced eco-friendly dyeing
4	Mt (nm) commercial grades	Polyethylene (LLDPE, HDPE)	Mixed in preground virgin polyethylene resin	Postponed the onset of gross melt fracture
5	Surface-modified Mt (nm) commercial grades	Maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene	Compounded in twin-screw extruder	(i) Improved tensile strength; (ii) Increased stiffness; (iii) Crack growth resistance
6	Fluorinated synthetic mica	Fluorinated synthetic mica-polypropylene (nm) composite	Melt compounding	Reduced heat release rate was slightly better relative to natural clay mineral