Structure and properties of polypropylene/hydrotalcite nanocomposites

This article presents the study of the modification of the particle/matrix interface region and its effects on the structure and dynamic mechanical behavior of polypropylene (PP)/hydrotalcite nanocomposites prepared by melt extrusion. The interface modification was promoted by combinying the organophillization of the hydrotalcite particles with blending the PP with a maleic anhydride‐grafted‐PP (PP‐g‐MAH) or a maleic anhydride‐grafted‐poly(styrene‐co‐ethylenebutylene‐co‐styrene) (SEBS‐g‐MAH). Sodium dodecyl sulphate was used to promote the organophillization of the hydrotalcite particles. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed a partially exfoliated hydrotalcite structure, with an increasing exfoliation being achieved by adding a compatibilizer and organo‐modifying the particles. Values of the Young's modulus (E), storage modulus (E′), maximum tensile strength (σ_max), neck propagation strength (σ_neck), and elongation at break (ε_b) were found to depend both on the nature of the particle matrix interface as well as on the type of compatibilizer. Also, nanocomposites prepared with the organophillized particles showed lower T_g and loss factor values. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Polyamide–silica nanocomposites: mechanical,morphological and thermomechanical investigations

BACKGROUND: The physical properties of polyamides can be enhanced through incorporation of inorganic micro‐ and nanofillers such as silica nanoparticles. Transparent sol‐gel‐derived organic‐inorganic nanocomposites were successfully prepared by in situ incorporation of a silica network into poly(trimethylhexamethylene terephthalamide) using diethylamine as catalyst. Thin films containing various proportions of inorganic network obtained by evaporating the solvent were characterized using mechanical, dynamic mechanical thermal and morphological analyses. RESULTS: Tensile measurements indicate that modulus as well as stress at yield and at break point improved while elongation at break and toughness decreased for the hybrid materials. The maximum value of stress at yield point (72 MPa) was observed with 10 wt% silica while the maximum stress at break point increased up to 66 MPa with 20 wt% silica relative to that of pure polyamide (44 MPa). Tensile modulus was found to increase up to 2.59 GPa with 10 wt% silica in the matrix. The glass transition temperature and the storage moduli increased with increasing silica content. The maximum increase in the T_g value (144 °C) was observed with 20 wt% silica. Scanning electron microscopy investigation gave the distribution of silica, with an average particle size ranging from 3 to 24 nm. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that nanocomposites with high mechanical strength can be prepared through a sol‐gel process. The increase in the T_g values suggests better cohesion between the two phases, and the morphological results describe a uniform dispersion of silica particles in the polymer matrix at the nanoscale. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

The physical and mechanical properties of beta‐nucleated polypropylene/montmorillonite nanocomposites

Polypropylene (PP) and polypropylene/polypropylene‐g‐maleic anhydride/ organomontmorillonite (PP/PP‐g‐MA/OMMT) nanocomposites were modified with 0.05 to 0.3% (w/w) of the aryl amide β‐nucleator to promote the formation of hexagonal crystal modification (β‐phase) during melt crystallization. The nonisothermal crystallization behavior of PP, PP/PP‐g‐MA/OMMT and β‐nucleated PP/PP‐g‐MA/OMMT nanocomposites were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry. Structure‐property relationships of the PP nanocomposites prepared by melt compounding were mainly focused on the effect and quantity of the aryl amide nucleator. The morphological observations, obtained from scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction analyses are presented in conjunction with the thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of these nanocomposites. Chemical interactions in the nanocomposites were observed by FT‐IR. It was found that the β‐crystal modification affected the thermal and mechanical properties of PP and PP/PP‐g‐MA/OMMT nanocomposites, while the PP/PP‐g‐MA/OMMT nanocomposites of the study gained both a higher impact strength (50%) and flexural modulus (30%) compared to that of the neat PP. β‐nucleation of the PP/PP‐g‐MA/OMMT nanocomposites provided a slight reduction in density and some 207% improvement in the very low tensile elongation at break at 92% beta nucleation. The crystallization peak temperature (T_cp) of the PP/PP‐g‐MA/OMMT nanocomposite was slightly higher (116°C) than the neat PP (113°C), whereas the β‐nucleation increased the crystallization temperature of the PP/PP‐g‐MA/OMMT/aryl amide to 128°C, which is of great advantage in a commercial‐scale mold processing of the nanocomposites with the resulting lower cycle times. The beta nucleation of PP nanocomposites can thus be optimized to obtain a better balance between thermal and mechanical properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.     

Process–structure–property relationship in ternary short‐glass‐fiber/elastomer/polypropylene composites

Short‐glass‐fiber (SGF)‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites toughened with a styrene/ethylene butylene/styrene (SEBS) triblock copolymer were injection molded after extrusion. Furthermore, a maleic anhydride (MA)‐grafted SEBS copolymer (SEBS‐g‐MA) was used as an impact modifier and compatibilizer. The effects of the processing conditions and compatibilizer on the microstructure and tensile and impact performance of the hybrid composites were investigated. In the route 1 fabrication process, SGF, PP, and SEBS were blended in an extruder twice, and this was followed by injection molding. In route 2, or the sequential blending process, the elastomer and PP were mixed thoroughly before the addition of SGF. In other words, either PP and SEBS or PP and SEBS‐g‐MA pellets were premixed in an extruder. The produced pellets were then blended with SGF in the extruder, and this was followed by injection molding. The SGF/SEBS‐g‐MA/PP hybrid fabricated by the route 2 process exhibited the highest modulus, yield stress, tensile stress at break, Izod impact energy, and Charpy drop weight impact strength among the composites investigated. This was due to the formation of a homogeneous SEBS elastomeric interlayer at the SGF and matrix interface of the SGF/SEBS‐g‐MA/PP hybrid. This SEBS rubbery layer enhanced the interfacial bonding between SGF and the matrix of the SGF/SEBS‐g‐MA/PP hybrid. The correlations between the processing, microstructure, and properties of the hybrids were investigated. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1384–1392, 2003     

Ultrasound assisted continuous‐mixing for the preparation of PP/SEBS/OMMT ternary nanocomposites

Polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene‐co‐butylenes)‐block‐polystyrene (SEBS)/organo‐montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites of varying concentrations of maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA) were prepared by continuous mixing assisted by ultrasonic oscillation. The structure and morphology of nanocomposites were investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that both PP‐g‐MA and ultrasonic oscillation could enhance the intercalation and exfoliation of OMMT in PP matrix. Meanwhile, the formation of PP could be induced by ultrasonic irradiation at a power of more than 540 W. Rheological properties including complex viscosity, storage, and loss modulus of nanocomposites were increased after adding PP‐g‐MA or ultrasonic treatment. The results of mechanical properties showed that PP‐g‐MA could improve the tensile strength and tensile modulus of nanocomposites, but with the sacrifice of impact strength. This problem could be improved by ultrasound due to the reduced particle size of SEBS. However, the mechanical properties would be reduced by ultrasonic treatment with higher intensity due to the polymer degradation. Therefore, the synergistic effect of both compatibilizer and ultrasound should account for the balance between toughness and stiffness of PP/SEBS/OMMT ternary nanocomposites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41202.     

Development and characterization of green composites from bio‐based polyethylene and peanut shell

In the present work, different compatibilizers, namely polyethylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA), polypropylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (PP‐g‐MA), and polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene‐ran‐butylene)‐block‐polystyrene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA) were used on green composites derived from biobased polyethylene and peanut shell (PNS) flour to improve particle–polymer interaction. Composites of high‐density polyethylene/peanut shell powder (HDPE/PNS) with 10 wt % PNS flour were compatibilized with 3 wt % of the abovementioned compatibilizers. As per the results, PP‐g‐MA copolymer lead to best optimized properties as evidenced by mechanical characterization. In addition, best particle–matrix interface interactions with PP‐g‐MA were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Subsequently HDPE/PNS composites with varying PNS flour content in the 5–30 wt % range with PP‐g‐MA compatibilizer were obtained by melt extrusion and compounding followed by injection molding and were characterized by mechanical, thermal, and morphological techniques. The results showed that PNS powder, leads to an increase in mechanical resistant properties (mainly, flexural modulus, and strength) while a decrease in mechanical ductile properties, that is, elongation at break and impact absorbed energy is observed with increasing PNS flour content. Furthermore, PNS flour provides an increase in thermal stability due to the natural antioxidant properties of PNS. In particular, composites containing 30 wt % PNS powder present a flexural strength 24% and a flexural modulus 72% higher than the unfilled polyethylene and the thermo‐oxidative onset degradation temperature is increased from 232 °C up to 254 °C thus indicating a marked thermal stabilization effect. Resultant composites can show a great deal of potential as base materials for wood plastic composites. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43940.     

A study on nanofiller effects of serpentine in polypropylene matrix

The nanocomposite materials were prepared using serpentine as filler and polypropylene (PP) as the matrix in the presence of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA) compatibilizer. The melt intercalation was carried out following serpentine modification with a quaternary salt of cetyl‐trimethyl‐ammonium bromide. The structure of nanocomposites was shown by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. Thermal analysis performed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated that the nanocomposites have higher percentage crystallinity when compared to neat PP. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed that the storage and loss moduli values of the nanocomposites are better than those of the matrix resin. Tensile properties of nanocomposites are significantly different from PP, e.g., the Young's modulus of the nanocomposite with 2 wt % serpentine and 6 wt % PP‐g‐MA (PP‐2,6Q) was found to be 2065 MPa, i.e., nearly 190.8% increase over the PP matrix. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Effect of interfacial interaction on the crystallization and mechanical properties of PP/nano‐CaCO3 composites modified by compatibilizers

To investigate the effect of interfacial interaction on the crystallization and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/nano‐CaCO₃ composites, three kinds of compatibilizers [PP grafted with maleic anhydride (PP‐g‐MA), ethylene–octene copolymer grafted with MA (POE‐g‐MA), and ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer grafted with MA (EVA‐g‐MA)] with the same polar groups (MA) but different backbones were used as compatibilizers to obtain various interfacial interactions among nano‐CaCO₃, compatibilizer, and PP. The results indicated that compatibilizers encapsulated nano‐CaCO₃ particles, forming a core–shell structure, and two interfaces were obtained in the compatibilized composites: interface between PP and compatibilizer and interface between compatibilizer and nano‐CaCO₃ particles. The crystallization and mechanical properties of PP/nano‐CaCO₃ composites were dependent on the interfacial interactions of these two interfaces, especially the interfacial interaction between PP and compatibilizer. The good compatibility between PP chain in PP‐g‐MA and PP matrix improved the dispersion of nano‐CaCO₃ particles, favored the nucleation effect of nano‐CaCO₃, increased the tensile strength and modulus, but reduced the ductility and impact strength of composites. The partial compatibility between POE in POE‐g‐MA and PP matrix had little effect on crystallization and mechanical properties of PP/nano‐CaCO₃ composites. The poor compatibility between EVA in EVA‐g‐MA and PP matrix retarded the nucleation effect of nano‐CaCO₃, and reduced the tensile strength, modulus, and impact strength. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Effect of polymer matrix/montmorillonite compatibility on morphology and melt rheology of polypropylene nanocomposites

In this study, Ca²⁺‐montmorillonite (Ca²⁺‐MMT) and organo‐montmorillonite (OMMT) were modified by three compatibilizers with different degrees of polarity [poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), alkyl‐PEG, and polypropylene (PP)‐g‐PEG]. PP/MMT nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending and characterized using X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed the degree of dispersion of OMMT in the PP/PP‐g‐PEG/OMMT (PMOM) nanocomposite was considerably higher than those in the PP/PEG/OMMT and PP/alkyl‐PEG/OMMT nanocomposites, which indicated that the dispersion was relative to the compatibility between modified OMMT and PP matrix. Linear viscoelasticity of PP/MMT nanocomposites in melt states was investigated by small amplitude dynamic rheology measurements. With the addition of the modified MMT, the shear viscosities and storage modulus of all the PP/MMT nanocomposites decreased. It can be attributed to the plasticization effect of PEG segments in the three modifiers. This rheological behavior was different from most surfactant modified MMT nanocomposites which typically showed an increase in dynamic modulus and viscosity relative to the polymer matrix. The unusual rheological observations were explained in terms of the compatibility between the polymer matrix and MMT. In addition, the mechanical properties of PP/MMT nanocomposites were improved. A simultaneous increase in the tensile strength and toughness was observed in PP/PMOM nanocomposites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effect of interfacial chemistry on crystallization of polypropylene/multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposites

This study systematically investigates the polymer–carbon nanotube (CNT) interaction when the interphase is tailored. Maleic anhydride‐grafted‐polypropylene (MA‐g‐PP) or polypropylene (PP) was noncovalently coated onto acid functionalized multiwall nanotube (f‐MWNT) through solution mixing. These coated f‐MWNTs were melt microcompounded with neat PP to form PP/f‐MWNT nanocomposites. The effects of functional groups and the thin layer of solution processed polymers, namely, MA‐g‐PP or PP, at the PP/f‐MWNT interface on crystallization and on melting behavior of matrix PP were investigated. The results were compared with a pristine MWNT (p‐MWNT) incorporated system. It was shown that PP coated CNTs can serve as a strong nucleating agent for templated polymer crystal growth. Unlike other PP nanocomposites in the literature, a relatively high shift of 7°C in melting peak maximum (T_p), along with a sharp melt endotherm was achieved with the addition of 0.3 wt% f‐MWNT via PP/f‐MWNT master batch. This indicates refinement of matrix PP crystalline region due to the tailored f‐MWNT surface chemistry. With a designed self‐seeding and templated crystal growth approach, columnar crystalline interphases were found surrounding MWNT which melted at 10.5°C higher temperature than neat PP crystallized without undergoing the same heat treatment protocol. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1570–1584 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Polypropylene/clay nanocomposites prepared by in situ grafting‐melt intercalation with a novel cointercalating monomer

Polypropylene (PP)/clay nanocomposites were prepared by melt‐compounding PP with organomontmorillonite (OMT), using maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA) as the primary compatibilizer and N‐imidazol‐O‐(bicyclo pentaerythritol phosphate)‐O‐(ethyl methacrylate) phosphate (PEBI) as the cointercalating monomer. X‐ray diffraction patterns indicated that the larger interlayer spacing of OMT in PP was obtained due to the cointercalation monomer having a large steric volume and the d‐spacing further increased with the addition of PP‐g‐MA, as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the PEBI‐containing PP nanocomposites exhibited better thermal stability than PEBI‐free PP composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis demonstrated that the storage modulus was significantly enhanced, and the glass transition temperature (T_g) shifted slightly to low temperature with the incorporation of clay for PP/OMT hybrids. PEBI‐containing PP/OMT composites gave a lower T_g value because of the strong internal plasticization effect of PEBI in the system. Cone calorimetry showed that the flame‐retardancy properties of PP nanocomposites were highly improved with the incorporation of PEBI. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

An investigation on the mechanical and dynamic rheological properties of single and hybrid filler/polypropylene composites based on talc and calcium carbonate

Some results of experiments on the mechanical and rheological properties of mineral filled polypropylene were presented. Single filler and hybrid filler composites of talc and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) were prepared in a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder. The effect of filler type, filler content, and coupling agent on the mechanical and rheological properties of the polypropylene were studied. The coupling agent was maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA). It was found that the mechanical properties are affected by filler type, filler concentration, and the interaction between filler and matrix. The tensile strength of the composite is more affected by the talc while the impact strength is influenced mostly by CaCO₃ content. The elongation at break of PP/CaCO₃ composites was higher than that of PP/talc composites. The incorporation of coupling agent into PP/mineral filler composites increased the mechanical properties. Rheological properties indicated that the complex viscosity and storage modulus of talc filled samples were higher than those of calcium carbonate filled samples while the tan δ was lower. The rheological properties of hybrid‐filler filled sample were more affected by the talc than calcium carbonate. The PP‐g‐MA increased the complex viscosity and storage modulus of both single and hybrid composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Morphology and properties of nanocomposites from organoclays with reduced cation exchange capacity

Organoclays with different levels of reduction in the original cation exchange capacity (CEC) were prepared to characterize the morphology and Young's modulus of their melt‐processed nanocomposites made from nylon 6 (PA‐6) and polypropylene/polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PP/PP‐g‐MA). Wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Young's modulus data are reported. Three different levels of CEC reduction were obtained; WAXS analysis and percentage loss on ignition (LOI) calculations for these organoclays showed a reduction in both the intergallery spacing and in the amount of organic modifier contained in the clay with CEC reduction. The morphology and modulus results show that these reduced‐CEC organoclays led to lower exfoliation and modulus enhancement for both PA‐6 and PP/PP‐g‐MA nanocomposites. The results may be influenced by differences in layer charge and charge distribution that could have been produced during the charge reduction process. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Morphological evolution and mechanical property enhancement of natural rubber/polypropylene blend through compatibilization by nanoclay

Nanocomposites of natural rubber (NR)/polypropylene (PP) (80/20 wt %) blends filled with 5 phr pristine clay were prepared by melt‐mixing process. Effects of clay incorporation technique via conventional melt‐mixing (CV) and masterbatch mixing (MB) methods on nanostructure and properties of the blend nanocomposites were investigated. The XRD, SAXS, WAXD, and TEM results showed that the clays in the NR/PP blend nanocomposites were presented in different states of dispersion and were locally existed at the interface between NR and PP as well as dispersed in the NR matrix. The presence of clay caused unique morphological evolution such as fine fibrillar PP domains. The tensile strength was improved over the unfilled NR/PP blends by 53% and 224%, and the storage modulus at 25 °C was increased by 78% and 120% for the NR/PP/clay nanocomposites prepared by CV and MB methods, respectively. Significant improvement in both properties was particularly obtained from the MB method due to finer dispersion fibrillar PP phase in the NR matrix and stronger interfacial adhesion between NR and PP fibers, as suggested from DMA. The oil resistance of blend nanocomposites was also improved over that of the unfilled NR/PP blend, and this property was further progressed by the masterbatch mixing method. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44574.     

Maleic anhydride polypropylene modified cellulose nanofibril polypropylene nanocomposites with enhanced impact strength

Development of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) reinforced polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites using melt compounding processes has received considerable attention. The main challenges are to obtain well‐dispersed CNFs in the polymer matrix and to establish compatible linkages between the CNFs and PP. Manufacturing of CNF reinforced PP nanocomposites was conducted using a twin‐screw co‐rotating extruder with the masterbatch concept. Modifications of CNFs using maleic anhydride polypropylene were performed. The best mechanical properties of the nanocomposites are 1.94 GPa (tensile modulus), 32.8 MPa (tensile strength), 1.63 GPa (flexural modulus), 50.1 MPa (flexural strength), and 3.8 kJ m⁻² (impact strength), which represents about 36, 11, 21, 7, and 23% improvement, respectively, compared to those of pure PP (1.43 GPa, 29.5 MPa, 1.35 GPa, 46.9 MPa, and 3.1 kJ m⁻²). Fracture morphology examination indicated good dispersion of CNFs in the PP matrix was achieved through this specific manufacturing process. MAPP treatments enhanced the interfacial adhesion between the CNFs and PP. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:782–793, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Thermomechanical properties of virgin and recycled polypropylene impact copolymer/CaCO3 nanocomposites

The effect of successive injection moldings on the thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of a polypropylene impact copolymer (PP) was investigated. The crystal content decreased as the molecular weight decreased due to chain scission with repeated injection molding. The Young modulus and the yield stress remained constant, despite a drop in the strain to break. Virgin and recycled PP matrix were filled with nanosized calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) particles. The effect of morphology on the thermal and mechanical properties of nanocomposites of virgin and recycled PP filled with nanosized CaCO₃ particles was also studied. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were strongly influenced by the intrinsic toughness of the matrix and the concentration and dispersion of the filler. The yield strength and strain of virgin PP decreased gradually, while its Young's modulus increased slightly with increasing CaCO₃ loading. These phenomena were less pronounced for the recycled matrix. Incorporation of nanoparticles to virgin matrix produced an increase in tensile stiffness and ductility, when good dispersion of the filler was achieved. However, the impact strength dropped dramatically for high filler contents. A significant increase in impact strength was observed for the recycled PP. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1904–1913, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The influence of matrix viscosity and composition on the morphology,rheology, and mechanical properties of thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites based on EPDM/PP

The morphological and rheological properties of thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites (TPE nanocomposites) were studied using different viscosities of polypropylene (PP) and ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer (EPDM) rubber content (20, 40, 60 wt%). The components, namely EPDM, PP, Cloisite 15A, and maleic anhydride‐modified PP as compatibilizer, were compounded by a one‐step melt mixing process in a laboratory internal mixer. The structure of the nanocomposites was characterized with X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and rheometry in small amplitude oscillatory shear. The distribution state of the clay between the two phases (PP and EPDM) was found to be dependent on the viscosity ratio of PP to EPDM. In the nanocomposites prepared based on low viscosity PP (LVP) and EPDM, the clay was mostly dispersed into the PP phase and the size of the dispersed rubber particles decreased in comparison with unfilled but otherwise similar blends. However, the dispersed elastomer droplet size in the high viscosity PP (HVP) blends containing 40 and 60% EPDM increased with the introduction of the clay. For TPE nanocomposites, the dependence of the storage modulus (G′) on angular frequency (ω) followed a clear nonterminal behavior. The increase in the storage modulus and the decrease in the terminal zone slope of the elastic modulus curve were found to be larger in the LVP nanocomposite in comparison with the HVP sample. The yield stress of nanoclay‐filled blends prepared with LVP increased more than that of HVP samples. The tensile modulus improved for all nanocomposites but a higher percentage of increase was observed in the case of LVP samples. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical properties and morphologies of PP/mPE/filler composites

Because of the poor impact behavior of polypropylene (PP) at low temperatures, the blending of PP with metallocene‐polymerized polyethylene (mPE) elastomers was investigated in this study. However, a reduced modulus of the overall blend was inevitable because of the addition to elastomers. To obtain a balance of the properties, we introduced rigid inorganic fillers to PP/mPE blends. The performance of the composites was characterized with tensile and Charpy notched impact tests, and the fracture morphology was examined with scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the effects of fillers in a brittle matrix and in a ductile matrix were quantitatively different. For PP/mPE/filler ternary composites, the dependence of Young's modulus and yield strength on CaCO₃ content was not significant compared with that of PP/filler binary composites, whereas the elongation at break and tensile toughness at room temperature for PP/mPE/filler systems were more improved. The impact strength of the PP/mPE blends filled with untreated glass beads and CaCO₃ at a low temperature was lowered because of the weak interfacial bond. However, the values of the impact strength of the PP/mPE/filler composites at a low temperature remained at a high level compared with that of pure PP. In particular, a PP/mPE blend filled with surface‐treated kaolin had a higher low‐temperature impact toughness than the unfilled blend. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 3029–3035, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.2333     

Preparation of interfacially compatibilized PP‐EPDM thermoplastic vulcanizate/graphite nanocomposites: Effects of graphite microstructure upon morphology,electrical conductivity,and melt rheology

Electrically conductive PP/EPDM dynamically crosslinked thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV)/expanded graphite (EG) has been successfully prepared via melt compounding of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA)/EG masterbatch and a commercially available TPV material. Correlation between graphite microstructure, and electrical conductivity as well as melt rheological behavior has been studied. Natural graphite flake (NGF), graphite intercalated compound (GIC), and exfoliated graphite (EG) have been employed and compared. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the presence of 100–200 nm nanolayers in the structure of PP‐g/EG masterbatches, whereas thinner platelets (1.5–2.5 nm) were revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Better dispersion of the graphite nanolayers in the microstructure of TPV/PP‐g‐MA/EG composite was verified, as the 7.3 Å spacing between the aggregated graphite nanolayers could not be observed in the XRD pattern of this material. TPV/PP‐g/EG nanocomposites exhibited much lower conductivity percolation threshold (φ_c) with increased conductivity to 10^?5 S/cm at EG wt % of 10. Higher nonlinear and nonterminal melt rheological characteristics of dynamic elastic modulus (G′) at low frequency region was presented by the TPV/PP‐g/EG nanocomposites, indicating the formation of nanoscopic conducting multiple networks throughout the continuous TPV matrix. Maleated PP was found to be much more effective in separating EG nanolayers which is attributed to the higher interfacial interaction between PP‐g‐MAH and EG, synergized with its multiporous structure. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Water absorption and hygrothermal aging study on organomontmorillonite reinforced polyamide 6/polypropylene nanocomposites

The water absorption and hygrothermal aging behavior of organomontmorillonite (OMMT) reinforced polyamide 6/polypropylene (PA6/PP ratio = 70/30), with and without maleated PP (MAH‐g‐PP), was studied at three different temperatures (30, 60, and 90°C). The water absorption and hygrothermal aging response of the composites was studied and analyzed by tensile tests and morphology assessment (scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy), indicating the effect of the immersion temperature, OMMT, and MAH‐g‐PP compatibilizer. The mathematical treatment used in analyzing the data was the single free phase model of diffusion, which assumed Fickian diffusion and utilized Fick's second law of diffusion. The kinetics of water absorption of the PA6/PP nanocomposites conformed to Fickian law behavior, whereby the initial moisture absorption follows a linear relationship between the percentage gain at any time t and t^1/2 (the square root of time), followed by saturation. It was found that the equilibrium moisture content and the diffusion coefficient are dependent on the OMMT loading, MAH‐g‐PP concentration, and immersion temperatures. Both the tensile modulus and strength of the PA6/PP nanocomposites deteriorated after being exposed to hygrothermal aging. MAH‐g‐PP acted as a good compatibilizer for PA6/PP/OMMT nanocomposites, which was attributed to its higher retention ability in modulus and strength (in the wet and redried states), lower equilibrium moisture content, and reduced water diffusivity of the nanocomposites. Morphological sketches for both uncompatibilized and MAH‐g‐PP compatibilized PA6/PP/OMMT nanocomposites, toward water uptake are proposed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 780–790, 2005