| Flame-retardant Elvacite acrylic resin/Cloisite 6A nanocomposites were prepared via direct melt intercalation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs showed that the high degree of exfoliation occurred, which resulted in a large improvement in thermal stability and UV absorption properties without sacrificing optical clarity. Cone calorimetry tests clearly showed that the heat release rate was far lower and more gradual in the nanocomposites than in pure resins. Additionally, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy results indicated that the introduction of clay did not change the chemical structure of acrylic resins. |
