Production scale plasma modification of polypropylene baselayer for improved water management properties

Through its hydrophobic properties, polypropylene (PP) offers unique potential as a functional fiber for a wide range of applications, for example, in nonwovens for hygiene applications or as a baselayer in sports textiles. Current work is focused on the modification of PP presently used in baselayers for sports textiles to increase the hydrophilicity by use of a production scale plant for low pressure plasma treatment. Attention was directed toward an increase in hydrophilicity and time stability of the achieved modification during storage. Changes in the fabric were characterized by sorption of the cationic dye (methylene blue), water retention value, water transport properties, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and color measurement. The obtained results indicate an improved wettability and wicking. The extent of modification decreased with storage time and parallel yellowing of treated samples was observed. This indicates chemical rearrangement of the products initially formed on the fiber surface. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41294.     

Toughening effects of nucleating agent on impact polypropylene copolymer

In this study, the impact polypropylene copolymer (IPC) blended with the sorbitol‐based nucleating agent (NA) NX8000 was prepared and then characterized using a wide range of instrumentations. The results showed that the NA formed a fibril network which resulted in the increased viscosity of system and the decreased size of ethylene–propylene random copolymer (EPR) phase. The results of mechanical tests revealed “the brittle–ductile transition (BDT)” occurred while the ethylene content was between 3.5 wt % and 6 wt % and indicated that the impact strength of IPC was greatly improved by the addition of NX8000 when the EPR content was right over the critical value of BDT. The investigations provided valuable information for the further development of IPC materials and boarded its potential industrial applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40705.     

Role of crystalline ethylene‐propylene copolymer on mechanical properties of impact polypropylene copolymer

Impact polypropylene copolymer (IPC) has been known as a multiphase material in which an ethylene‐propylene (EP) random copolymer, serves as toughening component, is dispersed in the homo‐polypropylene hPP matrix. The crystalline EP copolymer (cEP) is another component whose role and microstructural effect on the IPC properties has not been well understood. This work reveals the relationship between the microstructure of cEP and the mechanical properties, that is, impact and tensile resistance, of IPC. We clarify that IPC comprising high contents of cEP with long homo‐PP segment can extend the elongation at break while cEP with high content of homo‐PE segment contributes to high impact strength. Mechanisms for both of these processes have been proposed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effects of butyl acrylate modified polypropylene on structural and thermal properties of foamed polypropylene

In this work, the melt strength of PP matrix was reinforced by crosslinking‐modified PP (CM‐PP) which was yielded by peroxide‐initiated crosslinking of linear PP with butyl acrylate (BA). The nano‐silica aerogel (nano‐SiO₂) worked as a nucleating agent for foaming. The effects of CM‐PP with the various contents of BA on the foaming behavior and thermal property of PP were studied by measurements of density, thermal conductivity, Vicat softening temperature and SEM. The results showed that the foamed PP got the best properties when the crosslinking PP modified with the weight ratio of butyl acrylate was 10 wt %. The density of the obtained foamed PP with uniform closed cells was as low as 0.23 g/cm³, the thermal conductivity was 0.044 W/(m K), and the Vicat softening temperature was 120 °C. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44340.     

Influence of temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of stretched polypropylene

Microstructure and mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) stretched at different temperatures were studied. Strain‐induced fibrils were observed after stretching. Crystallinity (X_c), crystallite thickness (L_c), long period (L_pf), and diameter (D_f) of fibrils were characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Small angle X‐ray scattering. L_pf of stretched iPP below 60°C was found to be lower than undrawn iPP. X_c, L_c, and D_f increased with increasing draw temperature. Tensile test showed that Young's moduli of stretched iPPs were negatively dependent on X_c and L_c. The fraction of taut tie molecules was estimated from the mechanical model. Results showed that more tie molecules were formed in the samples stretched at lower temperatures. Dynamical mechanical analysis showed that glass transition temperature was strongly dependent on the draw temperature. The glass transition peak disappeared in stretched iPPs obtained below 80°C. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42622.     

Dynamic mechanical properties,crystallization behaviors,and low‐temperature performance of polypropylene random copolymer composites

In this study, polypropylene random copolymer (PPR) composites were prepared by the addition of either three kinds of thermoplastic rubber (TPR) modifiers (types 2088A, 2095, and 2096) or an ethylene–octene copolymer (POE)/high‐density polyethylene (HDPE; 2 :1 w/w) blend. Differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and dynamic mechanical analysis were used to characterize the crystallization behaviors and dynamic mechanical properties of the PPR composites. The results indicated that PPR/POE/HDPE and PPR/TPR2088A had better comprehensive mechanical properties, especially the low‐temperature toughness among all of the samples. The obtained PPR/POE/HDPE blends showed a high toughness and good stiffness in the temperature interval from ?10 to 23°C with the addition of only 10 wt % POE/HDPE. When the temperature continued to fall below ?10°C, the PPR/TPR2088A composites exhibited a better impact toughness without a loss of too much stiffness. The good low‐temperature toughness of those two composites was attributed to both the decrease in the crystallinity and the uniform dispersion, obvious interfacial adhesion, and cavitation ability of POE/HDPE and TPR2088A in the PPR matrix. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42960.     

Effects of quasi‐3D stacking architecture on interlaminar shear strength and void content of FRP

To improve the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of composite laminate, three different quasi‐3D stacking architecture (q‐3DSA) laminates were fabricated by using automated fiber placement process and a traditional 2D stacking architecture (2DSA) laminate was fabricated as the control sample. The distribution of voids, the density, and the ILSS of four types of laminates were tested. The results indicated that the void content of the different q‐3DSA laminates was approximately 0.71%–3.07% greater than that of the 2DSA laminate, but the ILSS of q‐3DSA laminates was 5.49%–12.54% better than that of the 2DSA laminate. The microstructure images showed that the cracks spread along the interface between the adjacent layers in the 2DSA laminate, while the cracks cross two or more layers in the q‐3DSA laminates. This behavior indicated that the q‐3DSA improved the ILSS by dispersing the interlaminar load through the bended and interlaced tows in the laminate. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41076.     

可控流变共聚PP的制备工艺及力学性能

用可控流变法降解共聚聚丙烯(PP)获得可控流变共聚PP。考察了基础树脂、过氧化物加入量、工艺参数对最终产品力学性能的影响。研究发现:在QP73N加入少量过氧化物便能显著改善流动性;根据基础树脂和最终产品的熔体流动指数可确定过氧化物的加入量;各种工艺参数对流变性能的影响由大到小依次为:温度、喂料转速、主机转速;喂料转速与主机转速之比越小,熔体流动指数越高;对降解产品力学性能的各项指标影响最大的因素都是挤出温度,其次是喂料转速和主机转速。     

金红石型TiO2对聚丙烯纤维紫外光降解的影响

分析了聚丙烯(PP)／金红石型二氧化钛(TiO2)共混纤维在人工加速紫外光降解中断裂伸长率、断裂强度、质量损失和表面形态的变化,与PP纤维进行对比,研究了纳米级和微米级金红石型TiO2对共混纤维光降解的影响。结果表明,在紫外光照射下,共混纤维中金红石型TiO2的含量越高,PP纤维断裂伸长率、断裂强度的降低和质量损失速率就越快;同时由扫描电镜照片发现,经紫外光照射120 h后,纤维表面损伤程度也随着TiO2添加量的增多而加深。纳米级和微米级金红石型TiO2都对PP的光氧化降解具有一定的催化作用,而且其含量越高,催化作用越强,但纳米级TiO2的催化作用比微米级TiO2大。     

Reprocessing effects on polypropylene/silica nanocomposites

A polypropylene matrix was melt compounded with a given amount (2 vol %) of both untreated (hydrophilic) and surface treated (hydrophobic) fumed silica nanoparticles with the aim to investigate the influence of the time under processing conditions on the microstructure and thermo‐mechanical properties of the resulting materials. Chain scission reactions induced by thermal processing caused a remarkable decrease of the melt viscosity, as revealed by the melt flow index values of both neat matrix and nanocomposites, but the degradative effect was significantly hindered by the presence of silica nanoparticles. It was observed that the size of nanofiller aggregates noticeably decreased as the compounding time increased, especially when hydrophobic silica nanofiller was considered. While the melting temperature seemed to be unaffected by the processing time, a remarkable embrittlement of the samples was observed for prolonged compounding times. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40242.     

Design and characterization of polypropylene matrix/glass fibers composite materials

In this article, polymer composites based on polypropylene (PP) matrix reinforced with short glass fibers type E (GF‐type E) were obtained. However, to ensure good interfacial adhesion and stress transfer across the interface, the influence of the chemical functionalization of the phases was analyzed. The better interfacial adhesion is assured by the use of maleic anhydride grafted PP and amino‐functionalized GF. The obtained composite materials were tested from the point of view of composition, morphology, and mechanical properties. It can conclude that the chemical functionalization of the two phases is beneficial from the point of view of compatibility of the phases and consequently higher mechanical properties are obtained. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42163.     

Influence of thermal history on crystalline morphologies of isotactic polypropylene in its miscible blends with polybutene‐1

The miscibility behaviors in blends of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and polybutene‐1 (PB) have been studied using in‐situ FTIR imaging. The heterogeneous melt of 3/7 iPP/PB blends were formed at 250, 220, and 180°C and then quenched to the same crystallization temperature of iPP at 125°C, respectively. Evolution processes of composition distribution during crystallization were monitored according to their characteristic peaks, and the results suggest a trend from local concentration to uniform dispersion of PB fraction. Further studies of the PB fraction as the distance from the growth front of iPP spherulite indicate an irreversible phase behavior with the progress of thermal history. The cyclic melting and crystallization favor the mixing of iPP/PB blend. Meanwhile, the nonlinear growth rate of iPP spherulite is mainly responsible for compatible promotion of iPP/PB blend, which hinders the transportation of iPP chains to its growth front. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43282.     

Influence of complexing treatment and epoxy resin coating on the properties of aramid fiber reinforced natural rubber

In this work, natural rubber/aramid fiber (NR/AF) composites were prepared with master batch method. AF was modified by using epoxy resin (EP) and accelerator 2‐ethyl‐4‐methylimidazole (2E4MZ) through surface coating on the basis of the complexing treatment with CaCl₂ solution. Hydroxyl‐terminated liquid isoprene rubber (LIR) was regarded as a compatibilizer between EP and NR. It is found that the crystallinity on AF surface is decreased by complexing reaction with CaCl₂ solution. Swelling and mechanical properties of the vulcanized composites, such as swelling degree, tensile and tear strength, tensile modulus at 300% elongation, are measured, and the tensile fracture morphology and dynamic mechanical analysis of the composites are investigated. The results show that the mechanical properties of composites with modified fibers are improved obviously and interfacial adhesion between matrix and the fiber is enhanced, especially for the AF coated with EP and imidazole. The best comprehensive mechanical properties of the composites are obtained with using CaCl₂‐EP/2E4MZ system when the ratio of m(EP)/m(AF) is 3%. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42122.     

Air‐hole properties of calcite‐filled polypropylene copolymer films

This work was designed to study the effects of inorganic calcite powder on structurally different copolymer [poly(propylene‐co‐ethylene)] and terpolymer [poly (propylene‐co‐ethylene‐co‐1‐butene)] matrices and the possibility of making a suitable porous composite film. The yield stress of the composites did not improve, but the modulus increased gradually with the filler loading. The theoretical and experimental modulus and yield stress of the composites provided evidence of filler and polymer adhesion behavior. The impact strength showed little enhancement up to a 20 wt % loading for the poly(propylene‐co‐ethylene‐co‐1‐butene) system. The number‐average, weight‐average, and z‐average air‐hole diameters were compared with respect to the draw ratio as well as the calcite loading. The morphology of a micromechanically deformed composite, studied with an image analyzer, revealed that the aspect ratio and area of the air holes increased linearly as a function of the draw ratio, but the change in the aspect ratio upon filler loading was not remarkable. A suitable loading of a filler up to 30 wt % was good for controlling the porosity in the composite films. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Creep and recovery behavior of kenaf/polypropylene nonwoven composites

This article reports an exploratory study on the creep and recovery behavior of kenaf/polypropylene nonwoven composites (KPNCs), serving as a bio‐based substitution for polypropylene (PP) plastics in the automotive industry due to the environmental concern. The creep and recovery behavior of KPNC and solid virgin PP were performed by dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) which allowed it to be studied extensively. The linear viscoelastic limit (LVL) was found at 1 MPa. Two popular creep models, the four‐element Burgers (FEB) model and the Findley power law (FPL) model, were used to model the creep behavior in this study. The FEB model was found only appropriate for characterizing short‐term creep behavior. In contrast, the FPL model was satisfactory for predicting the long‐term creep performance. The long‐term creep behavior of KPNC in comparison to virgin PP plastic was predicted using the time‐temperature superposition (TTS) principle. The 1‐year creep strains were estimated to be 0.32% for KPNC and 1.00% for virgin PP at 40°C. A three‐day creep test was conducted to validate the effectiveness of the TTS prediction. KPNC showed a better creep resistance and higher recoverability than the virgin PP, especially in a high‐temperature environment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40726.     

Degradability of extruded polyethylene/chitosan blends compatibilized with polyethylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride under natural weathering

The impact of chitosan on the natural weathering behavior of two blends obtained by mixing either polyethylene (PE) with chitosan or PE, chitosan and polyethylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (PEgMA) as a compatibilizer is analyzed. In order to follow the weathering behavior of both the uncompatibilized and compatibilized systems, the blend films are exposed to outdoor conditions for 6 months. The weathering behavior of the films is monitored by mechanical tests, spectroscopic Fourier transform infrared, and morphological analyses at different weathering periods of time. The presence of chitosan in the blends accelerates significantly the degradation of the films. Apparently, PEgMA also accelerates the photo‐oxidation rate of the films. This behavior appears to be related to the photo‐oxidative instability of maleic anhydride, and also to the better dispersion of chitosan in the PE matrix, which is due to the interactions in the PE/chitosan interface caused by the addition of the compatibilizer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41045.     

Effect of fiber/matrix chemical modification on the mechanical properties and water absorption of extruded flax/polypropylene composite

Compound of flax/polypropylene (PP) is characterized concerning the mechanical properties of stiffness, strength, and impact in addition to the water absorption behavior. Manufacturing takes place by twin‐screw extruder. The extruder screw layout is modified through different kneading elements to get high fiber aspect ratio. Sodium hydroxide solution was used as a washing solution for the flax fibers' surfaces. Both fiber and matrix are chemically modified. Selected groups of the fibers were further treated using trimethoxyvinylsilan TMVS and acrylic acid AA. The PP matrix is also treated with different coupling agents; namely, maleated PP MAPP, TMVS‐MAPP, and acrylic acid‐functionalized PP AAPP. The combinations of different fiber/matrix are extruder compounded, injection molded, and finally tested. Fiber modification seems to be positive with AA‐modified surface. AAPP matrix modification improves the stiffness four times that of the untreated flax/PP. Till 30 and 40 wt %, the more the fiber is the more the strength and stiffness, respectively. MAPP‐modified matrix improves the mechanical properties and keeps low water absorption values. AAPP‐modified matrix shows the best stiffness values. TMVS‐MAPP does not seem to have distinguished improvement compared with MAPP. NaOH‐TMVS/MAPP and NaOH‐TMVS/AAPP systems can serve as alternatives to the normal NaOH/MAPP treatment. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Study on adhesion strength,thermal creep resistance,and light transmittance of ethylene‐polypropylene copolymer grafted with silane for photovoltaic application

We investigated the possibility of using PP as an encapsulant in a photovoltaic module. PP is inexpensive but shows low adhesion strength to glass (and silicon wafer) due to its nonpolar nature as well as opacity due to its crystalline nature. We resolved these problems by employing metallocene catalyzed ethylene‐propylene copolymer (EPR) and a nucleating agent to increase the transparency. Five EPRs having various propylene/ethylene ratios were investigated. EPRs having higher propylene content showed higher adhesion strength to the glass substrate. However, it is not appropriate to use EPRs with higher propylene content because they show low processability in calendaring processing. We therefore used a blend of two EPRs. The blend of the two EPRs showed somewhat low transparency. When the nucleating agent was incorporated in the blend, the transparency was remarkably increased. The adhesion strength to the glass plate was enhanced by a silane coupling agent. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43464.     

Correlation between the fracture toughness and β‐crystal fraction in a β‐nucleated propylene‐based propylene–ethylene random copolymer

Propylene‐based propylene–ethylene random copolymer (PPR) has been widely used in the production of hot‐water pipes. To further improve its toughness and thermal resistance, β‐nucleating agents (β‐NAs) are frequently incorporated. In this study, PPR containing 5.6 mol % ethylene units was modified by two kinds of β‐NAs, that is, calcium pimelate and N,N′‐dicyclohexylterephthalamide. The notched Izod impact strength of PPR increased with the addition of the β‐NAs. Drastically different toughening effects were found between the two β‐NAs. The structure of PPR with and without a β‐NA was investigated by calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, and thermomechanical analysis. The results indicated that the relative fraction of β crystals (k_β) in the injection‐molded specimens was determined by the type and content of β‐NA. The relationship between k_β and the impact toughness was summarized. A critical value for k_β (0.68) was identified for the brittle–ductile transition of PPR. PPR with β‐NA having a k_β greater than 0.68 displayed a higher impact strength than the other mixtures. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42930.     

Fiber preparation and mechanical properties of recycled polypropylene for reinforcing concrete

Polypropylene (PP) fibers have been widely used to reinforce concrete footpaths as an alternative to steel mesh. The reinforcing effect of the PP fiber is directly proportional to its tensile strength and Young modulus. This research explored the feasibility of using an improved melt spinning and hot drawing process to produce virgin and recycled PP fibers of high mechanical properties in an industrial scale. Commercial grade granules of virgin PP, recycled PP and HPDE were mixed in different proportions in preparing five different types of fibers. All the fibers obtained high tensile strength and Young modulus. A relationship between the structural parameters and mechanical properties was then established. It was observed that the melt spinning and hot drawing process formed both α‐form and β‐form crystals in the PP fibers, and significantly improved crystallinity from about 50% to 80%. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41866.