PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF NA ALGINATE NA BENTONITE NANOCOMPOSITE FILM

The clay-containing polymeric nanocomposites (CPNC) is a nanocomposite in which a nanoclay filler is added into polymer matrix. It causes change that exceeds of polymer mechanical characteristics initially. Sodium bentonite (NaB) is one of natural clay and contains about 80% montmorillonite. Sodium alginate (NaA) is a polymer that has a low mechanical properties. By cpnc system, it was expected that can improve the mechanical properties. The experiment was began by choosing the proper of swelling clay method (stirring, ultraturax and sonication) at concentration of 5%. The swelled clay was than added in various concentrations of 0, 2, 3, 4 and 5% into solution of polymer sodium alginate of 1%. These mixtures were than formed a film by film casting method. This thin solution was dried at 50°C for 20 hours to form the NaA/NaB nanocomposite films. The characteristic of nanocomposite films were evaluated by using XRD and SEM and also the mechanical properties (tear resistance, tensile strength, percent elongation and modulus of elasticity), solubility test, water vapor permeability and bursting test. The clay swelled by stirrer, ultraturax and sonication produced the viscosity of 1263.33±5.77; 1740.00±0.00 and 2883.33±5.77 cPs respectively. The identification of nanocomposite films showed that the nanoclay experienced the exfoliation. While the mechanical properties showed that the tear resistance (TR) of each formula were 6.86±0.00; 16.01±1.13; 16.99±2.47; 18.62±1.70 and 23.52±1.70 N respectively. Tensile strength (TS) were 17.15±0.00; 40.02±2.83; 42.47±6.17; 46.55±4.24 and 58.80±4.24 MPa. Percent elongation (PE) were 18.97±0.69; 4.97±0.00; 6.11±0.62; 5.64±0.28 and 5.30±0.29. Mean while the modulus of elasticity (ME) for each formula were 90.48±2.90; 805.70±56.96; 694.12±58.03; 824.68±64.58, and 1108.70±20.32 MPa. In conclusion, the sonication was the best swelling clay method to produce nanoclay and there was enhancement mechanical properties along with increasing concentration of nanoclay in polymer matrix.