D o s s i e r Interactions Fluids Polymers: Permeability, Durability Interactions fluides polymères: perméabilité, durabilité Characterization of Polymer Layered Silicate

Abstract — Polymer clay nanocomposites are mostly described as materials with improved properties. However, many studies are not concluding about the possible benefits. This work reports permeability measurements on different polyolefins nanocomposites. Clay exfoliation has been proved by various techniques. Unfortunately, the nanocomposite does not exhibit good barrier prop-erties. Hence, permeability coefficients were found to increase. A poor quality of the interface between filler and medium is likely to be responsible for this degradation. Insufficient interactions between silicate layers and the surrounding polymer lead to preferential pathways for diffusion. Organoclay exfoliation does not necessarily lead to better barrier properties. A good quality of the interface between polymer and filler is required to reach a high performance level. The standard techniques used to characterize exfoliation degree do not permit to highlight this kind of phenomena. Résumé — Caractérisation de nanocomposites polymère silicate par des méthodes de rhéologie et de perméabilite ́ : rôle de la qualite ́ de l’interface — Les nanocomposites polymère argile sont généralement décrits comme des matériaux aux propriétés améliorées. Cependant de nombreuses études ne sont pas forcément concluantes quant aux bénéfices attendus. Le présent travail rapporte des mesures de perméabilite ́ sur différents nanocomposites a ̀ matric