Influences of compatibilization and compounding process on electrical conduction and thermal stabilities of carbon black‐filled immiscible polypropylene/polystyrene blends

The influences of styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) copolymer compatibilizer and compounding process on the electrical conduction and thermal stabilities of carbon black (CB)‐filled immiscible polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene (PS) (1/1) blends were investigated. The immiscible CB/PP/PS composite with CB homogeneously located in the PS phase exhibited the highest resistivity and the fastest variation amplitudes of electrical resistivity (ρ) and rheological parameters upon annealing. An optimal content of 5 vol% SBS could significantly lower ρ of the composites by partially trapping CB particles in the PP/PS interfacial region and by reducing the phase size. The compatibilizer markedly slowed down the variation amplitudes of ρ and rheological parameters and the phase coalescence of the composites submitted to thermal annealing. The (SBS/CB)/PP/PS composite with CB located at the PP/PS interface and in the PP phase prepared by blending a (SBS/CB) masterbatch with PP and PS exhibited lower ρ and better thermal stability in comparison with the CB/SBS/PP/PS composite with CB mainly within the PS phase and partially at the PP/PS interface prepared by direct blending. Spreading and wetting coefficients were used to explain the CB distribution and the phase morphology of the composites. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Studies on PA6–PP–wollastonite composite compatibilised by PP–graft–maleic anhydride prepared via pan milling

Abstract

A composite of PA6–PP–wollastonite compatibilised by PP-g-maleic anhydride has been prepared using pan type milling equipment, and its structure and properties investigated by IR, DSC, melt index measurements, SEM, and mechanical testing. The experimental results show that during pan milling, PP, PA6, and wollastonite are effectively pulverised, reaching better mixing owing to the very strong shear forces and pressure exerted by the pan type milling equipment. In particular, some PA6 polymer chains are grafted onto the wollastonite surface and the pan milling affects the crystallinity of PA6 and PP to some degree. The compatibiliser prepared via solid phase grafting of maleic anhydride onto PP via pan milling shows a reasonably good compatibilising effect on the composite, improving the morphology and therefore the mechanical properties of the composite. If combined with suitable coupling agent, the PA6–PP–wollastonite compatibilised by PP-g-maleic anhydride prepared via pan milling (wollastonite content 30 wt-%) possesses much better mechanical properties, its tensile strength increases from 54·6 to 58·6 MPa, and its notched Izod impact strength increases from 29·4 to 48·7 J m^-1, compared with the uncompatibilised system. Pan milling is a novel way to achieve desired structure and hence improved properties of polymer based materials via the polymer processing procedure.     

Preparation and properties of eggshell/β-polypropylene bio-composites

In this article, a novel eggshell/β-PP bio-composite was prepared and evaluated. First the waste chicken eggshell (ES) was modified by a stingy amount of pimelic acid (PA) through solution method, and then compounded with PP through melt blending method. The crystalline form, mechanical properties, and morphology of the ES/β-PP composites were studied. The results showed that ES modified by PA was a β nucleating agent with high efficiency and selectivity, resulting in the maximum K_β value of 0.99 in PP composites. PA modification promoted the dispersion and interfacial bonding of ES in PP. Although the addition of PA-modified ES slightly decreased tensile properties and flexural properties of PP, it increased the impact strength of PP by 228% than that of pure PP. Taking all factors into consideration, the optimal mass ratio of PP/ES/PA composites for reaching optimum mechanical properties should be 100/5/0.000471. Thus, the application of modified ES to prepare ES/β-PP bio-composites represents a promising way to mitigate environmental pollution and to reduce the cost of polyolefin products. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Influence of compatibilizers and processing temperature on microcellular injection‐molded polypropylene/(waste tire powder) composites

Nowadays the economic recycling of waste tires has become a global challenge. The use of waste tire powder as a dispersed elastomeric phase in a polypropylene (PP) matrix offers an interesting opportunity for recycling of waste tire rubber. Compatibilized PP/(waste tire powder) composites are microcellularly processed to create a new class of materials with unique properties. Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of developing microcellular structures in PP/waste ground rubber tire (WGRT) composites. Microcellular PP/WGRT composites are prepared by an injection‐molding process using a chemical blowing agent. In this study, cell sizes, cell density, void fraction, and mechanical properties of the composite foams were measured, as well as the shear viscosity of the unfoamed composites. The influence of various compatibilizers and processing temperatures on cell morphology and the mechanical properties of injection‐molded PP/WGRT composites were investigated. It was seen that the addition of maleic anhydride‐grafted styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene (SEBS‐g‐MA) increased the shear viscosity of the composites. The void fraction and cell density of the PP/WGRT composites increased with addition of compatibilizers, whereas the average cell sizes decreased. A processing temperature range of 180–195°C gave finer microcellular structure and regular cell distribution. The SEBS‐g‐MA enhanced the elongation properties and acted as an effective compatibilizer in this particular system. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

SBS and SEBS block copolymers as impact modifiers for polypropylene compounds

Blends of polypropylene (PP) and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), namely SBS (styrene‐butadiene‐styrene) and SEBS (styrene‐ethylene/1‐butene‐styrene) block copolymers, were prepared to evaluate the effectiveness of the TPE type as an impact modifier for PP and influence of the concentration of elastomer on the polymer properties. Polypropylene homopolymer (PP‐H) and ethylene–propylene random copolymer (PP‐R) were evaluated as the PP matrix. Results showed that TPEs had a nucleating effect that caused the PP crystallization temperature to increase, with SBS being more effective than SEBS. Microstructure characterization tests showed that in most cases PP/SEBS blends showed the smallest rubber droplets regardless of the matrix used. It was seen that SEBS is a more effective toughening agent for PP than SBS. At 0°C the Izod impact strength of the PP‐H/SEBS 30% b/w blend was twofold higher than the SBS strength, with the PP‐R/SEBS 30% b/w blend showing no break. A similar behavior on tensile properties and flexural modulus were observed in both PP/TPE blends. Yield stress and tensile strength decreased and elongation at break increased by expanding the dispersed elastomeric phase in the PP matrix. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 254–263, 2005     

微纳层叠共挤PP/PA6/CNTs原位微纤复合膜的制备及性能研究

采用双转子连续混炼挤出机与微纳层叠共挤出成型设备制备了聚丙烯/聚酰胺6/碳纳米管（PP/PA6/CNTs）复合材料和原位微纤复合膜,通过扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、流变仪、差示扫描量热仪（DSC）、万能拉伸试验机及电阻测试仪对其微观结构、流变性能、结晶性能、力学性能和导电性能进行了表征。结果表明,与共混相比,微纳层叠共挤出法使得分散相PA6/CNTs形成了微纤,微纤的形成不仅提升了复合膜的动态流变性能,并且增加了基体PP相的结晶度,提高了PA6相的结晶温度,提升了复合膜的结晶性能;当CNTs含量为0.5 %（质量分数,下同）时,复合膜的拉伸强度和断裂伸长率均达到最大值,分别为42.17 MPa和857.82 %,体积电阻率（R）下降到10⁴ Ω·cm,综合力学性能和导电性能达到最佳。     

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene reinforced polypropylene and polyamide composites toward developing low-noise automobile interior

Circular ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) of 60 and 140 μm particle size, to ensure the homogenous mixing, was used as filler materials for developing the polypropylene (PP) and polyamide 6 (PA6)-based composite specimens to investigate the effect of UHMWPE on reducing the noise, if the composites are used in car interior. PP composite containing 5 wt % UHMWPE of 60 μm particle size showed the lowest in-plane friction coefficient (0.18 ± 0.01), improved Izod impact strength (33 ± 2.9 J/m²), and considerable tensile properties (37 ± 1.5 MPa of strength and 21 ± 1.1% of elongation at break), indicating its promise as low-noise and durable material to be used in the car interior. Although PA6 composites showed decreasing friction coefficients with increasing UHMWPE content, their tensile and impact properties became poor or inconsistent, maybe due to the incompatibility of nonpolar UHMWPE with polar PA, and the large difference of their melting temperatures. The extent of compatibility of PP and PA6 with the UHMWPE has been investigated by analyzing the morphology (using scanning electron microscope) and the thermal properties of the composites. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48720.     

PA 6原位成纤复合改善PP的力学性能

采用挤出-热拉伸-淬冷法制备均聚聚丙烯(PP-H)/聚酰胺(PA)6原位成纤复合材料,研究PA 6的原位微纤化对PP-H力学性能的影响。结果表明:实验设计工艺可实现PA 6在PP-H基体中的原位微纤化,纤维直径约为0.5～2.0μm,但PA 6微纤与PP-H基体的界面结合性差,对PP-H的力学性能改善不佳;添加少量增容剂马来酸酐接枝聚丙烯,可显著改善PP-H的力学性能,当w(PA 6)为15%时,添加少量增容剂后,复合材料的拉伸强度、弯曲强度、简支梁缺口冲击强度分别为未添加增容剂时的1.27,1.39,1.49倍;注塑温度对复合材料中PA 6分散相的形态及材料力学性能有明显影响,高温注塑试样的力学性能普遍低于低温注塑试样。     

Effect of Processing Time on the Tensile,Morphological, and Thermal Properties of Rice Husk Powder‐Filled Polypropylene Composites

Abstract

Brabender plasticorder internal mixer was used to incorporate rice husk powder into polypropylene. Rice husk powder (RHP)‐filled polypropylene (PP) composite was prepared by varying mixing time under constant rotor speed (50 rpm) at two mixing temperatures. Brabender mixing torque, tensile properties, morphology, and thermal properties were investigated in detail. Results indicate that the tensile properties, such as Young's modulus, yield strength, and elongation at break, do not exhibit a significant trend with the increasing of processing time. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs reveal the better filler dispersion at longer processing time. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicates nucleating ability of RHP and reduction of degree of crystallinity of PP at higher temperature and longer processing time. In fact, RHP changes the melting point of PP in the composites.     

Nylon 6 induced morphological developments and electrical conductivity improvements of polypropylene/carbon black composites

In this study, a polar conductive filler [carbon black (CB)], a nonpolar polymer [polypropylene (PP)], and a polar polymer [nylon 6 (PA6)] were chosen to fabricate electrically conductive polymer composites by melt blending and compression molding. The morphological developments of these composites were studied. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that in a CB‐filled PP/PA6 (CPA) composite, CB particles were selectively dispersed in PA6 phases and could make the dispersed particles exist as microfiber particles, which could greatly improve the electrical conductivity. The PA6 and CB contents both could affect the morphologies of these composites. The results of electrical resistivity measurements of these composites proved the formation of conductive networks. The resistivity–temperature behaviors of these composites were also studied. For CB‐filled PP (CP) composites, there were apparent positive temperature coefficient (PTC) and negative temperature coefficient (NTC) effects and an unrepeatable resistivity–temperature characteristic. However, for CPA composites, there were no PTC or NTC effects from room temperature to 180°C, and the resistivity–temperature behavior showed a repeatable characteristic; this proved that CB particles were selectively dispersed in the PA6 phase from another point of view. All experimental results indicated that the addition of PA6 to a CP composite could lead to an expected morphological structure and improve the electrical conductivity of the CP composite. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

MAH/St固相接枝聚丙烯对聚丙烯/滑石粉复合材料性能的影响

利用马来酸酐（MAH）/苯乙烯（St）共单体固相接枝聚丙烯（MSP）作增容剂,采用熔融共混和注塑成型的方法制备了PP/滑石粉复合材料,研究了MSP对PP/滑石粉复合材料热行为、拉伸强度和动态力学性能的影响.结果显示MSP降低了PP/滑石粉复合材料中PP相的熔融温度（Tm）,但随着增容剂MSP含量的增加,Tm呈上升趋势.MSP改善了PP/滑石粉间的相容性,促进了滑石粉的异相成核作用,提高了PP相的Tco随着MSP含量的提高,Tc呈下降趋势.MSP增容剂提高了PP/MSP/滑石粉复合材料的拉伸强度和动态贮能模量,并存在一最佳的增容剂添加量.     

PA6/PA6-g-MAH/云母复合材料的增韧研究

分别以乙烯-乙酸乙烯共聚物(EVA)、乙烯-1-辛烯共聚物(POE)、苯乙烯-丁二烯-苯乙烯共聚物(SBS)为增韧剂,研究了它们对聚酰胺6(PA6)/聚酰胺6接枝马来酸酐(PA6-g-MAH)/云母复合材料力学性能的影响。结果表明:以EVA为增韧剂所得复合材料的力学性能优于以POE或SBS为增韧剂所得复合材料;复合材料的冲击强度随EVA用量的增大而上升,当EVA用量为10%时,其冲击强度达到19.01 kJ/m2,较未经增韧改性的复合材料提高了5.29 kJ/m2;但复合材料的拉伸强度和弯曲模量均随增韧剂用量的增大而降低。     

Pan‐milling mixing – a novel approach to forming polymer blends and controlling their morphology

A novel technique (pan‐milling mixing) was developed to control the morphology and thus enhance the mechanical properties of polypropylene/polyamide 6 (PP/PA6) systems. Through pan‐milling at ambient temperature, PP/PA6 pellets of particle size 2–4 mm can be effectively pulverized to well‐mixed micrometre fine powders in the solid state. During pan‐milling of mixtures of PP and PA6, the polymer molecules undergo chain scission and form copolymers that compatibilize the two polymers in situ. By press moulding the finely mixed PP/PA6 powder obtained at a temperature between the melting points of PA6 and PP (for example 200 °C), a blend can be obtained in which the PA6 powder, retained throughout the process in the solid state, is well dispersed in the PP matrix. The mechanical properties of the system are much better than that of PP/PA6 blends prepared by common twin screw extrusion mixing and injection moulding. Tensile strengths of the fine PA6 particle filled PP/PA6 (70/30) blend is 29.3 MPa, which is 6.1 MPa higher than that of a conventionally prepared PP/PA6 blend. The Izod notched impact strength of a fine PA6 particle‐filled PP/PA6 (70/30) blend is 6.34 kJ m^?2, which is 1.72 kJ m^?2 higher than that of a conventionally prepared PP/PA6 blend. Morphological analysis shows that the domain size of PA6 in the system is much smaller than that of the PP/PA6 blend, and can be controlled by the processing conditions such as temperature. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

煤矸石填充聚酰胺6复合材料的结构与性能研究

采用熔融共混法制备了聚酰胺6／煤矸石复合材料，研究了复合材料的力学性能、微观结构、结晶行为和流变性能。结果表明：煤矸石的加入使聚酰胺6的的拉伸强度、弹性模量、弯曲强度和弯曲模量分别增加了约53．8％、66．1％、37．1％和63．4％，而冲击韧性基本保持，煤矸石最佳填充量为25％；煤矸石在聚酰胺6基体中分散均匀，复合材料具有韧性断裂特征；煤矸石使聚酰胺6的结晶温度由187．0℃升高到191．3℃，过冷度由33．6℃降至18．9℃，结晶温度范围变窄，即煤矸石提高了聚酰胺6的结晶速率，对聚酰胺6具有异相成核作用；在所研究的剪切速率范围内，聚酰胺6及其复合材料的流变行为表现为假塑性，煤矸石的加入使非牛顿指数减小，聚酰胺6对剪切敏感性下降。     

Short glass fiber reinforced ABS and ABS/PA6 composites: Processing and characterization

In this study acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) terpolymer was reinforced with 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS)‐treated short glass fibers (SGFs). The effects of SGF concentration and extrusion process conditions, such as the screw speed and barrel temperature profile, on the mechanical properties of the composites were examined. Increasing the SGF concentration in the ABS matrix from 10 wt% to 30 wt% resulted in improved tensile strength, tensile modulus and flexural modulus, but drastically lowered the strain‐at‐break and the impact strength. The average fiber length decreased when the concentration of glass fibers increased. The increase in screw speed decreased the average fiber length, and therefore the tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and impact strength were affected negatively and the strain‐at‐break was affected positively. The increase in extrusion temperature decreased the fiber length degradation, and therefore the tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and impact strength increased. At higher temperatures the ABS matrix degraded and the mechanical strength of the composites decreased. To obtain a strong interaction at the interface, polyamide‐6 (PA6) at varying concentrations was introduced into the ABS/30 wt% SGF composite. The incorporation and increasing amount of PA6 in the composites broadened the fiber length distribution (FLD) owing to the low melt viscosity of PA6. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and impact strength values increased with an increase in the PA6 content of the ABS/PA6/SGF systems due to the improved adhesion at the interface, which was confirmed by the ratio of tensile strength to flexural strength as an adhesion parameter. These results were also supported by scanning electron micrographs of the ABS/PA6/SGF composites, which exhibited an improved adhesion between the SGFs and the ABS/PA6 matrix. POLYM. COMPOS. 26:745–755, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers     

增容作用对PP/PA6原位微纤复合材料形貌及性能的影响

以马来酸酐接枝聚丙烯（PP-g-MAH）为增容剂,采用熔融挤出?热拉伸法制备了聚丙烯（PP）/聚酰胺6（PA6）/PP-g-MAH原位微纤复合材料。研究了复合材料的微观相形态以及结晶、流变和力学性能。结果表明,加入0.5 %（质量分数,下同）的PP-g-MAH有利于大长径比PA6微纤的形成;而当PP-g-MAH的含量继续增加时,相界面相容性的提高反而阻碍了微纤的生成;加入0.5 % PP-g-MAH的PP/PA6原位微纤复合材料在动态流变特性中呈现出很强的弹性响应,并且其结晶和力学性能显著改善。     

Effect of styrene–isoprene–styrene,styrene–butadiene–styrene,and styrene–butadiene–rubber on the mechanical,thermal, rheological,and morphological properties of polypropylene/polystyrene blends

The mechanical, thermal, rheological, and morphological properties of polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene (PS) blends compatibilized with styrene–isoprene–styrene (SIS), styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS), and styrene–butadiene–rubber (SBR) were studied. The incompatible PP and PS phases were effectively dispersed by the addition of SIS, SBS, and SBR as compatibilizers. The PP/PS blends were mechanically evaluated in terms of the impact strength, ductility, and tensile yield stress to determine the influence of the compatibilizers on the performance properties of these materials. SIS‐ and SBS‐compatibilized blends showed significantly improved impact strength and ductility in comparison with SBR‐compatibilized blends over the entire range of compatibilizer concentrations. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated compatibility between the components upon the addition of SIS, SBS, and SBR by the appearance of shifts in the melt peak of PP toward the melting range of PS. The melt viscosity and storage modulus of the blends depended on the composition, type, and amount of compatibilizer. Scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the compatibility between the PP and PS components in the presence of SIS, SBS, and SBR by showing finer phase domains. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 266–277, 2003     

From polymer blends to in situ polymer/polymer composites: Morphology control and mechanical properties

In situ polymer/polymer short fiber composites were generated by a two‐step process. In the first step, a polyamide (PA) dispersed phase is blended with a polypropylene (PP) matrix in a twin‐screw extruder at a temperature at which both polymers are in molten state. The extrudate was then stretched at the die exit to generate long and thin fibers of PA in the PP matrix well oriented in the direction of flow. Adhesion between the phases was promoted by addition of PP grafted with maleic anhydride (PP‐g‐MA). During the second step, the chopped extrudates were molded by injection or compression molding at a temperature at which PA in the form of fibers is in the solid state and the PP matrix is molten. The control of the formation of such ultrafine fibers was obtained by quantitative analyses for the deformation of the minor PA‐phase during twin‐screw extrusion and stretching at the exit of the die that involve both shear and extensional flows. Morphology and mechanical properties of such polymer/polymer composites were compared to equivalent blends with dispersed spherical particles‐type morphology prepared in a batch mixer device.     

Rice husk powder–filled polystyrene/styrene butadiene rubber blends

Natural fibers are rich in cellulose and they are a cheap, easily renewable source of fibers with the potential for polymer reinforcement. The presence of large amounts of hydroxyl groups makes natural fibers less attractive for reinforcement of polymeric materials. Composites made from polystyrene (PS)/styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) blend and treated rice husk powder (RHP) were prepared. The RHP was treated by esterification and acetylation. A similar series of composites was also prepared using maleic anhydride–polypropylene (MA–PP) as a coupling agent. The processing behavior, mechanical properties, effect of thermooxidative ageing, and surface morphology of untreated and chemically modified RHP were studied. There was a decrease in tensile strength (except MA–PP composites), elongation at break, and Young's modulus in chemically treated RHP composites. The postreaction process during thermooxidative ageing enhanced the tensile strength and Young's modulus of the esterified and MA–PP composites. Acetylation treatment was effective in reducing the percentage of water absorption in RHP/PS–SBR composites. In general chemically treated RHP/PS–SBR composites and MA–PP showed a better matrix phase and filler distribution. However, the degree of filler–matrix interaction was mainly responsible for the improvement of mechanical properties in the composites. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3320–3332, 2004     

Effect of compatibilizer on the dispersion of untreated silica in a polypropylene matrix

BACKGROUND: A new processing method for polypropylene–untreated precipitated silica (PP/SiO₂) composites based on the incorporation of a second polymer phase of polyamide 6 (PA6) is presented and compared with a more classic one making use of compatibilizers: glycerol monostearate (GMS), ethylene acrylic acid ionomer (IAAZE) and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MA‐graft‐PP). The effects of processing methods and conditions on the microstructure and properties of PP/SiO₂ composites prepared by melt compounding are investigated with a view to reduce the size of aggregates of silica from the micrometre to the nanometre scale and to improve the link between filler and matrix. RESULTS: On the one hand, the presence of GMS and IAAZE compatibilizers significantly improves the dispersion of the silica particles. On the other hand, when using a PA6 second phase, the SiO₂ particles are dispersed in PA6 nodules. Within these nodules, SiO₂ appears dispersed at the nanoscale but with larger particles (‘aggregates’) of about 200 nm. Significant improvements in tensile strength and modulus are obtained using MA‐graft‐PP compatibilizer. An increase in impact strength is observed in the case of GMS compatibilizer. Thermal parameters indicate also that silica plays the role of nucleation agent for PP matrix. All improvements (tensile strength, modulus and impact strength) increase with the addition of compatibilized PA6 second phase. CONCLUSION: By the incorporation of masterbatch of silica in PA6 as a second polymer polar phase, a successful new production method for PP/SiO₂ nanocomposites has been developed. Interestingly, this method does not require any (expensive) pre‐treatment of the silica. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry