Studies on Mechanical,Thermal, and Flame Retarding Properties of Polybutadiene Rubber (PBR) Nanocomposites

An effect of nanosize CaCO₃ on physical, mechanical, thermal and flame retarding properties of PBR was compared with commercial CaCO₃ and fly ash filled PBR. CaCO₃ at the rate of 9, 15, and 21 nm were added in polybutadiene rubber (PBR) at 4, 8 and 12 wt.% separately. Properties such as swelling index, specific gravity, tensile strength, Young's modulus, elongation at break, modulus at 300% elongation, glass transition temperature, decomposition temperature, flame retardency, hardness, and abrasion resistances were determined. The swelling index decreased and specific gravity increased with reduction in particle size of fillers in PBR composites. There was significant improvement in physical, mechanical, thermal and flame-retarding properties of PBR composites due to a reduction in the particle size of fillers. Maximum improvement in mechanical and flame retarding properties was observed at 8 wt.% of filler loading. This increment in properties was more pronounced in 9 nm size CaCO₃. The results were not appreciable above 8 wt.% loading of nano fillers because of agglomeration of nanoparticles. In addition, an attempt was made to consider some thermodynamically aspects of resulting system. The cross-linkage density has been assessed by Flory-Rehner equation in which free energy was increased with increase in filler content.     

Mechanical and flame‐retarding properties of styrene–butadiene rubber filled with nano‐CaCO3 as a filler and linseed oil as an extender

A nanosize CaCO₃ filler was synthesized by an in situ deposition technique, and its size was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. CaCO₃ was prepared in three different sizes (21, 15, and 9 nm). Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) was filled with 2–10 wt % nano‐CaCO₃ with 2% linseed oil as an extender. Nano‐CaCO₃–SBR rubber composites were compounded on a two‐roll mill and molded on a compression‐molding machine. Properties such as the specific gravity, swelling index, hardness, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, modulus at 300% elongation, flame retardancy, and elongation at break were measured. Because of the reduction in the nanosize of CaCO₃, drastic improvements in the mechanical properties were found. The size of 9 nm showed the highest increase in the tensile strength (3.89 MPa) in comparison with commercial CaCO₃ and the two other sizes of nano‐CaCO₃ up to an 8 wt % loading in SBR. The elongation at break also increased up to 824% for the 9‐nm size in comparison with commercial CaCO₃ and the two other sizes of nano‐CaCO₃. Also, these results were compared with nano‐CaCO₃‐filled SBR without linseed oil as an extender. The modulus at 300% elongation, hardness, specific gravity, and flame‐retarding properties increased with a reduction in the nanosize with linseed oil as an extender, which helped with the uniform dispersion of nano‐CaCO₃ in the rubber matrix. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2563–2571, 2005     

Effect of Nano-CaCO3 on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polyamide Nanocomposites

Polyamide-CaCO₃ nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation on twin-screw extruder. Various particle sizes (23, 17 and 11 nm) of CaCO₃ were synthesized by in-situ deposition technique. The shape and sizes of nano-CaCO₃ particles were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nano-CaCO₃ was added from 1 to 4 wt% in the polyamide. Properties such as Tensile strength, Elongation at break, Hardness, and Flame retardency were studied. These results were compared with commercial CaCO₃ filled composites. Nano-CaCO₃ filled in polyamide shows, 3 fold improvement in Young's modulus in comparison to commercial CaCO₃ and 4–7 folds to virgin polyamide. Besides that, a polyamide nanocomposite shows 2 times improvements in flame retarding and vicat softening properties compared to commercial CaCO₃. Moreover, thermal degradation was studied on TGA and found to be improved compared to commercial CaCO₃. This was due to uniform dispersion of nano-CaCO₃ with greater surface area in comparison to commercial CaCO₃ in the polyamide matrix. Extent of dispersion of nano-CaCO₃ was studied along with microcracks generated during tensile testing using scanning electron microscope (SEM).     

Resin modification on interlaminar shear property of carbon fiber/epoxy/nano‐CaCO3 hybrid composites

Epoxy resin was modified by adding a silane coupling agent/nano‐calcium carbonate master batch. Then, samples of binary carbon fiber/epoxy composites and ternary fiber/nano‐CaCO₃/epoxy were prepared by hot press process. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the carbon fiber/epoxy composites was investigated and the results indicate that introduction of the treated nano‐CaCO₃ enhances ILSS obviously. In particular, the addition of 4 wt% nano‐CaCO₃ leads to 36.6% increase in the ILSS for the composite. The fracture surfaces of the carbon fiber/epoxy composites and the mechanical properties of epoxy resin cast are examined and both of them are employed to explain the change of ILSS. The results show that the change of ILSS is primarily due to an increase of the epoxy matrix strength and an increase of the fiber/epoxy interface. The bifurcation of propagating cracks, stress transfer, and cavitation are deduced for the reasons of strengthening and toughening effect of nano‐CaCO₃ particles. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2035–2042, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Silane coupling agent modification on interlaminar shear strength of carbon fiber/epoxy/nano‐CaCo3 composites

Four different types of composites were prepared based on unmodified and modified epoxy matrices: (A) unmodified epoxy/carbon fiber composites, (B) modified epoxy/carbon fiber composites by silane coupling agent/nano‐CaCO₃ master batch, (C) modified epoxy/carbon fiber composites by nano‐CaCO₃ particles directly, and (D) modified epoxy/carbon fiber composites by nano‐CaCO₃ particles and silane coupling agent together. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the carbon fiber‐reinforced composites was investigated. The results show that the silane coupling agent/nano‐CaCO₃ master batch can increase the ILSS to the highest degree. Nevertheless, Sample D, i.e., modified by nano‐CaCO₃ particles and silane coupling agent together, even presents a decrease of the ILSS. The integration effect of silane coupling agent/nano‐CaCO₃ master batch was concluded. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Production of nano‐calcium carbonate from shells of the freshwater channeled applesnail,Pomacea canaliculata,by hydrothermal treatment and its application with polyvinyl chloride

The use of naturally renewable shells of the freshwater channeled applesnail, Pomacea canaliculata, as a filler to replace commercial calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) was investigated in this study. Ground P. canaliculata shell particles were converted to nano‐CaCO₃ particles by the displacement reaction of calcium chloride in sodium carbonate solution followed by hydrothermal treatment at 100°C for 1 h to synthesize nano‐CaCO₃ with particle sizes of 30–100 nm in diameter. The mechanical properties, in terms of the tensile strength, elongation at brake and impact strength, of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were greatly improved by mixing with nano‐CaCO₃ at 5–10 parts per hundred of resin. Additionally, the presence of nano‐CaCO₃ at the same levels increased the flame resistance and thermal stability of the PVC composite materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1620–1628, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis of Mineral Nanofiller using Solution Spray Method and its Influence on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of EPDM Nanocomposites

Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles were synthesized by solution spray of CaCl₂ and NH₄HCO₃ with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as a stabilizing agent. Synthesized nano-CaCO₃ of 20 nm and commercial CaCO₃ (40 mircron) were reinforced in EPDM rubber composites of by varying 2–10 wt% of loading. The rubber nanocomposites were prepared on two roll mill and molded on compression molding machine and were subjected to characterizations like mechanical and thermal. The results were then compared with fly ash (10–60 wt%) filled EPDM rubber composites. It was found that with increase in wt% of nano-CaCO₃ loadings the mechanical and thermal properties of EPDM rubber nanocomposites increases drastically. Improvements in properties were due to uniform dispersion of nano-CaCO₃ into the rubber chain. It means that nano-CaCO₃ gets exfoliated within the rubber chains uniformly. It is also due to fine size of nano-CaCO₃ (20 nm) with uniform transfer of heat during vulcanization, which keeps the rubber chains intact on cross-linking. Results of commercial CaCO₃ and fly ash filled EPDM composites were found to be very inferior over nano-CaCO₃ filled EPDM rubber nanocomposites even though the amount of loading nanofiller was less (2–10 wt% of loading) compared to fly ash of 75 micron (10–60 wt%).     

Rheology and Dispersion Behavior of Highly Filled Propylene-Ethylene Copolymer/Calcium Carbonate Composites

The rheology and dispersion behavior of commercial propylene-ethylene copolymer, highly filled propylene-ethylene copolymer/CaCO₃ composites and highly filled propylene-ethylene copolymer/HDPE/CaCO₃ composites prepared by melt-compounding were investigated. The pure propylene-ethylene copolymer exhibits pseudoplastic flow behavior obviously. The CaCO₃ particles in the composites have achieved a homogeneous dispersion and the increasing shear rate has almost no influence on the dispersion behavior of CaCO₃ particles. The high loading of CaCO₃ particles influences the rheology behavior of propylene-ethylene copolymer slightly. For the highly filled propylene-ethylene copolymer/CaCO₃ composites, the extensional viscosity only decreases slightly throughout the entire range of extension rates.     

Chitosan reinforced with modified CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles to enhance thermal,hydrophobicity properties and removal of cu(II) and cd(II) ions

The role of nanoparticles (NPs) in the enhancement of thermal, wettability and adsorption properties of chitosan (CS) was inspired by loading of CaCO₃ modified with diacid (DA) based on L- phenyl aniline (2–8 wt%) within the CS by ultrasound agitation. The diameter of CaCO₃-DA into the CS extended from 40 to 70 nm. A thermal test on the CS/CaCO₃-DA nanocomposite (NC) 2 wt% revealed that T ₅ (temperature with 5% weight loss) was increased up to 312 °C, which is twice the value of the pure polymer. The wettability property of the CS/CaCO₃-DA NCs was transformed from hydrophilicity to hydrophobicity as the CaCO₃-DA NPs concentration was increased. It is due to decrease of the accessibility of the CS polar groups to water. The CS/CaCO₃-DA NC 5 wt% was selected as the adsorbent for uptake of metal ions from the wastewater. It showed maximum adsorption capacity of 21.74 and 29.41 mg.g^?1 for Cu(II) and Cd(II), respectively. These are attributed to strong complexation reaction between the metal ions and functional groups in the obtained NC.     

Study on mechanical and flow properties of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene/poly(methyl methacrylate)/nano‐calcium carbonate composites

Acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS)/poly(methyl meth‐acrylate) (PMMA)/nano‐calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO₃) composites were prepared in a corotating twin screw extruder. Four kinds of nano‐CaCO₃ particles with different diameters and surface treatment were used in this study. The properties of the composites were analyzed by tensile tests, Izod impact tests, melt flow index (MFI) tests, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). This article is focused on the effect of nano‐CaCO₃ particles' size and surface treatment on various properties of ABS/PMMA/nano‐CaCO₃ composites. The results show that the MFI of all the composites reaches a maximum value when the content of nano‐CaCO₃ is 4 wt%. In comparison with untreated nano‐CaCO₃ composites, the MFI of stearic acid treated nano‐CaCO₃ composites is higher and more sensitive to temperature. The tensile yield strength decreases slightly with the increase of nano‐CaCO₃ content. However, the size and surface treatment of nano‐CaCO₃ particles have little influence on the tensile yield strength of composites. In contrast, all of nano‐CaCO₃ particles decrease Izod impact strength significantly. Stearic acid treated nano‐CaCO₃ composites have superior Izod impact strength to untreated nano‐CaCO₃ composites with the same nano‐CaCO₃ content. Furthermore, the Izod impact strength of 100 nm nano‐CaCO₃ composites is higher than that of 25 nm nano‐CaCO₃ composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1593–1602, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Polyamide Nanocomposites: Investigation of Mechanical,Thermal and Morphological Characteristics

In the present work, polyamide/CaSO₄ nanocomposites were prepared via melt intercalation on twin-screw extruder. Different particle sizes (23, 15, 10 nm) of CaSO₄ were synthesized by in situ deposition technique and its sizes and shape were confirmed on a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The TEM study showed that nano-CaSO₄ has a needlelike or fiberlike structure. Nano-CaSO₄ was added from 1 to 4 wt% in the polyamide. Properties such as Tensile strength, Elongation at Break, Young's Modulus, and hardness were studied. These results were then compared with commercial CaSO₄-filled polyamide composites. There was a propounding effect to be observed on properties of polyamide nanocomposites due to uniform dispersion of nano-CaSO₄ and commercial CaSO₄. The 4 wt% of 10 nm CaSO₄ shows 16% improvement in Tensile Strength compared to commercial CaSO₄ (11%) filled in polyamide composites, whereas, Elongation at Break decreases drastically in 10 nm CaSO₄-filled polyamide nanocomposites up to 22% compared to commercial CaSO₄-filled polyamide composites at 4 wt% loading (11%). Among these properties, Young's Modulus was found to be more effective in 4 wt% loading of 10 nm CaSO₄ and was recorded to be 66% more compared to commercial CaSO₄-filled-in polyamide composites (22%). Moreover, thermal properties such as thermal degradation and flammability were studied by TGA and flame testers. It was found that nano-CaSO₄ was thermally more stable compared to commercial CaSO₄-filled polyamide composites. Extent of dispersion of nano-CaSO₄ was studied along with micro cracks generated during tensile testing using an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM).     

Preparation and characteristics of a novel nano‐sized calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCo3)‐supported nucleating agent of poly(L‐lactide)

Nano‐sized calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO₃)‐supported nucleating agent for poly(L ‐lactide) (PLLA) was prepared by supporting calcium phenylphosphonate (PPCa) on nano‐CaCO₃ surface. The thermal properties of phenylphosphonic acid (PPOA) and nano‐CaCO₃‐supported nucleating agent and its dispersion in PLLA matrix were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the formation of nucleating agent supported on nano‐CaCO₃ was attributed to the chemical reaction between nano‐CaCO₃ and PPOA. The nano‐CaCO₃‐supported nucleating agents were dispersed evenly in the PLLA matrix even with 5 wt% loading. The supported nucleating agent was added to PLLA to examine its nucleating ability for PLLA. The results of the investigation showed that the nano‐CaCO₃‐supported nucleating agent exhibited higher nucleation ability compared to PPCa nucleating agent. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Studies on Structure and Properties of HDPE Functionalized Through Ultraviolet Irradiation and Its Blends with CaCO3

Abstract

The structure and properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) functionalized through ultraviolet irradiation in air and its blends with CaCO₃ were studied by Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurement, Molau test, and mechanical properties test. The experimental results reveals that oxygen-containing groups such as C = O and C - O were introduced onto the molecular chains of HDPE through ultraviolet irradiation in air, and the groups' concentration increases with irradiation time. After irradiation, the water contact angle of HDPE becomes smaller, showing that the hydrophilicity of irradiated HDPE increases. Compared with those of HDPE/CaCO₃ blend, the dispersion of CaCO₃ particles in irradiated HDPE/CaCO₃ blend, the interface interaction between CaCO₃ particles and irradiated HDPE matrix, and the mechanical properties of irradiated HDPE/CaCO₃ blend are improved due to the introduction of polar groups.     

Effect of nanosilica on the thermal,mechanical, and dielectric properties of polyarylene ether nitriles terminated with phthalonitrile

Nanosilica/polyarylene ether nitriles terminated with phthalonitrile (SiO₂/PEN‐t‐Ph) composites were prepared by hot‐press approach. To ensure the nano‐SiO₂ can disperse uniformly, the solution casting method combined with ultrasonic dispersion technology had been taken previously. The mass fraction of nano‐SiO₂ particles was varied to investigate their effect on the thermal, mechanical, and dielectric properties of the nanocomposites. From scanning electron microscope images, it was found that the nanoSiO₂ particles were dispersed uniformly in the PEN‐t‐Ph matrix when the addition of nano‐SiO₂ was less than 16.0 wt%. However, when the mass fraction of nano‐SiO₂ increased to 20.0 wt%, the nano‐SiO₂ particles tend to self‐aggregate and form microns sized particles. Thermal studies revealed that nano‐SiO₂ particles did not weaken the thermal stabilities of the PEN‐t‐Ph matrix. Mechanical investigation manifested that the SiO₂/PEN‐t‐Ph nanocomposites with 12.0 wt% nano‐SiO₂ loading showed the best mechanical performance with tensile strength of 108.2 MPa and tensile modulus of 2107.5 Mpa, increasing by 14% and 19%, respectively as compared with the pure PEN‐t‐Ph film. Dielectric measurement showed that the dielectric constant increased from 3.70 to 4.15 when the nano‐SiO₂ particles varied from 0.0 to 20.0 wt% at 1 kHz. Therefore, such composite was a good candidate for high performance materials at elevated temperature environment. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:344–350, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Studies of Thermal Conductivity of Nano CaCO3/HIPS Composites by Unsteady State Technique and Simulation with Nielsen's Model

Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermal conductivity meter were used for measurement of thermal conductivity by unsteady state technique of the high impact polystyrene (HIPS) composites filled with 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 wt.% of CaCO₃ nano particles. A comparison of experimental and theoretical values of (K _c /K _m) was done using MATLAB software fitting in Nielsen's model of thermal conductivity for polymers containing low limit of volume fraction. The packing fraction (Φ _max) and geometry and orientation dependent parameter (A) of the nanofiller were assumed as 0.10 and 100, respectively, which are most fitted for this model. The effect of nanosize on thermal conductivity was well predicted by plotting different values of thermal conductivity at various source temperatures. The violation of the theoretical values because of local molecular vibration at higher temperature is highlighted promisingly in the plots.     

Polystyrene/CaCO3 composites with different CaCO3 radius and different nano‐CaCO3 content—structure and properties

The Archimedes' principle and physical theory are attempted to analysis the densification and structure of the polystyrene (PS) composites by melt compounding with CaCO₃ having different particle size. The difference between the measured specific volume (ν) andthe theoretically calculated specific volume (ν_mix), Δν = ν−ν_mix, can reflect the densification of the composites. It is clearly demonstrated that the PS composites become more condensed with the reduction of the CaCO₃ particle size. Especially, when the content for nano‐CaCO₃ achieves 2 wt%, the Δν value of the composites reaches the least, which shows the best densification. Meanwhile, the glass transition temperature (T_g) reaches the maximum value of about 100°C by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal mechanical analysis (TMA), which indirectly reveals the composites microstructure more condensed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveal that 2 wt% nano‐CaCO₃ uniformly disperses in PS composites. The CaCO₃ selected in this experiment has certain toughening effect on PS. The impact and tensile strength increase with addition of nano‐CaCO₃, but the elongation at break decreases. When nano‐CaCO₃ content achieved 2 wt%, the impact and tensile strength present the maximum value of 1.63 KJ/m² and 44.5 MPa, which is higher than the pure PS and the composites filled with the same content of micro‐CaCO₃. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1258–1264, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Interfacial structures and mechanical properties of PVC composites reinforced by CaCO3 with different particle sizes and surface treatments

The effects of particle size and surface treatment of CaCO₃ particles on the microstructure and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites filled with CaCO₃ particles via a melt blending method were studied by SEM, an AG‐2000 universal material testing machine and an XJU‐2.75 Izod impact strength machine. The tensile and impact strengths of CaCO₃/PVC greatly increased with decreasing CaCO₃ particle size, which was attributed to increased interfacial contact area and enhanced interfacial adhesion between CaCO₃ particles and PVC matrix. Titanate‐treated nano‐CaCO₃/PVC composites had superior tensile and impact strengths to untreated or sodium‐stearate‐treated CaCO₃/PVC composites. The impact strength of titanate‐treated nano‐CaCO₃/PVC composites was 26.3 ± 1.1 kJ m⁻², more than three times that of pure PVC materials. The interfacial adhesion between CaCO₃ particles and PVC matrix was characterized by the interfacial interaction parameter B and the debonding angle θ, both of which were calculated from the tensile strength of CaCO₃/PVC composites. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fabrication of polystyrene/nano‐CaCO3 foams with unimodal or bimodal cell structure from extrusion foaming using supercritical carbon dioxide

The article surveyed the fabrication of polystyrene (PS)/nano‐CaCO₃ foams with unimodal or bimodal cellular morphology from extrusion foaming using supercritical carbon dioxide (sc‐CO₂). In order to discover the factors influenced the cell structure of PS/nano‐CaCO₃ foams, the effects of die temperature, die pressure, and nano‐CaCO₃ content on cell size, density, and morphology were investigated detailed. The results showed that the nano‐CaCO₃ content affected the cell size and morphology of PS/nano‐CaCO₃ foams significantly. When the die temperature and pressure was 150°C and 18 MPa, respectively, the foams with 5 wt% nano‐CaCO₃ exhibited the unimodal cellular morphology. As the nano‐CaCO₃ content increased to 20 wt%, a bimodal cell structure of the foams could be obtained. Moreover, it was found that the bimodal structure correlated more strongly with the pressure drop than the foaming temperature. The article revealed that unimodal or bimodal cellular morphology of PS/nano‐CaCO₃ foams could be achieved by changing the extrusion foaming parameters and nano‐CaCO₃ content. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1864–1873, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Nonisothermal crystallization behavior and crystals morphology of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/nano‐calcium carbonate composites

Nonisothermal crystallization behavior and crystal morphology of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) composites filled with modified nano‐calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) had been investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy. The modified Avrami equation and Ozawa theory were used to investigate the nonisothermal crystallization, respectively. The particles of nano‐CaCO₃, acting as a nucleation agent in composites, accelerated the crystallization rate by decreasing the half‐time of crystallization or increasing the parameters of Z_c and K(T). Moreover, the nano‐composite with 2 wt% nano‐CaCO₃ exhibited the highest crystallization rate. The Avrami and the Ozawa exponents, n and m of the nano‐composites, were higher than those of neat PTT, suggesting more complicated interaction between molecular chains and the nanoparticles that cause the changes of the nucleation mode and the crystal growth dimension. The effective activation energy calculated from the Friedman formula was reduced as nano‐CaCO₃ content increased, suggesting that the nano‐CaCO₃ made the molecular chains of PTT easier to crystallize during the nonisothermal crystallization process. The optical micrographs showed that much smaller or less perfect crystals were formed in composites because of the presence of the nano‐CaCO₃ particles. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Crystallization and impact energy of polypropylene/CaCO3 nanocomposites with nonionic modifier

Isotactic polypropylene (PP) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanocomposites were prepared by melt extrusion in a twin screw extruder. The commercial CaCO₃ nanoparticles had a poor dispersion in PP matrix. The addition of a small amount of a nonionic modifier during melt extrusion greatly improved the dispersion of CaCO₃ nanoparticles. The influence of CaCO₃ nanoparticles on the crystallization of PP was studied by wide angle X-ray diffraction and polarized optical microscopy. The introduction of CaCO₃ particles resulted in small and imperfect PP spherulites, decreased spherulite growth rate and induced formation of β-form PP. The yield strength of PP decreased gradually while its Young's modulus increased slightly with increasing CaCO₃ loading. By adding 1.5 wt% of nonionic modifier to PP/CaCO₃ (85/15) nanocomposite these tensile properties were not changed much but the notched Izod impact energy of the composites was significantly increased.