The work deals with hydrophobisation of smectic clays (aluminosilicates of layered structure) with quarternary ammonium salts in order to make them applicable for modification of polymers. The clays used in this work contained a large proportion of montmorillonite and the method of their modification (hydrophobisation) was essentially the same as described in recent patents [1, 2]. The effect of treatment of the smectic clays by various ammonium salts (both pure reagents or technical products) on the compatibility of the modified products with unsaturated polyester resins (UP) and/or epoxy resins (EP) was predicting by the sorption of monomers (styrene) or organic solvents (benzene, nonane) vapours on the surface of the modified bentonites.

It has been found that admixture of the modified clays in the amount of up to 5 wt.% to a commercial UP or EP resulted in markedly improved tensile strength (25 - 72% for UP and 27 - 78% for EP), Young modulus (48 - 77% for UP and 42 - 81% for EP), Brinell hardness (31 - 111% for UP and 25 - 97% for EP) and impact strength (without notch) (48 - 266% for UP and 34 - 180% for EP).

The composites containing modified aluminosilicates and synthetic resins have the properties typical for nanocomposites: improved stiffness, strength, optical clarity, and fine-lamellar structure of the fracture surface as observed in the electron scanning microscope.

[1]. Polish patent 178900, 2000

[2]. Polish patent 178866, 2000

The work was financed by Polish Committee of Scientific Research (KBN) grant no. PBZ-KBN-095/T08/2003

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1. Modified bentonites as thixotropic fillers
2. Structure and thermal properties of epoxy resins nano-composites with flame retardants