Dynamic mechanical properties and morphology of polypropylene/maleated polypropylene blends

The dynamic mechanical properties of both homopolypropylene (PPVC)/Maleated Poly-propylene (PP-g-MA) and ethylene-propylene block copolymer (PPSC)/Maleated Poly-propylene (PP-g-MA) blends have been studied by using a dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (PL-DMTA MKII) over a wide temperature range, covering a frequency zone from 0.3 to 30 Hz. With increasing content of PP-g-MA, α relaxation of both blends gradually shift to a lower temperature and the apparent activation energy ΔE_α increases. In PPVC/PP-g-MA blends, β relaxation shifts to a higher temperature as the content of PP-g-MA increases from 0 to 20 wt % and then change unobviously for further varying content of PP-g-MA from 20 to 35 wt %. On the contrary, in the PPSC/PP-g-MA blends β₁ relaxation, the apparent activation energy ΔE_β1 and β₂ relaxation are almost unchanged with blend composition, while ΔE_β2 increases with an increase of PP-g-MA content. In the composition range studied, storage modulus É value for PPSC/PP-g-MA blends decreases progressively between β₂ and α relaxation with increasing temperature, but in the region the increment for PPVC/PP-g-MA blends is independent of temperature. The flexural properties of PPVC/PP-g-MA blend show more obvious improvement on PP than one of PPSC/PP-g-MA blends. Scanning electron micrographs of fracture surfaces of the blends clearly demonstrate two-phase morphology, viz. the discrete particles homogeneously disperse in the continous phase, the main difference in the morphology between both blends is that the interaction between the particles and the continuous phase is stronger for for PPVC/PP-g-MA than for PPSC/PP-g-MA blend. By the correlation of the morphology with dynamic and mechanical properties of the blends, the variation of the relaxation behavior and mechanical properties with the componenet structure, blend composition, vibration frequency, and as well as the features observed in these variation are reasonably interpreted. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effect of addition of polyoxypropylenediamine on the morphology and mechanical properties of maleated polypropylene/maleated rubber blends

Blends of maleated polypropylene and maleated ethylene propylenediene (EPDM-g-MA) were compounded in a twin-screw extruder with a polyetheramine (PEA), polyoxypropylenediamine, as a compatibilizer. The effect of the compatibilizer concentration and molecular weight on the physical properties was investigated. FTIR data showed that the addition of the compatibilizer caused an imide linkage to form between the amine functionality on the PEA and the maleic anhydride (MA) functionality on both the polypropylene (PP) and the rubber backbone. This bond improved the interfacial adhesion between the rubber and the PP matrix, resulting in an improvement in the toughness of the blends. Other improvements in the physical properties of the blends with a compatibilizer compared to the blends without it included notched Izod impact, elongation at yield, and elongation at break. The optimum improvement in properties was found when the level of the compatibilizer was about 3 wt %. These changes in properties correlated well with the morphology observed via optical and scanning electron microscopy. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polm Sci 68: 1451–1472, 1998     

Compatibilizing effect of maleated polypropylene on the mechanical properties and morphology of injection molded polyamide 6/polypropylene/organoclay nanocomposites

Polyamide 6/polypropylene (PA6/PP=70/30 parts) blends containing 4 phr (parts per hundred resin) of organophilic modified montmorillonite (organoclay) were prepared using twin screw extruder followed by injection molding. Maleated polypropylene (MAH-g-PP) was used to compatibilize the blend system. The mechanical properties of PA6/PP nanocomposites were studied through tensile and flexural tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to assess the fracture surface morphology and the dispersion of the organoclay, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to characterize the formation of nanocomposites. The thermal properties were characterized by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The dynamic mechanical properties of PA6/PP nanocomposites were analyzed by using dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA). The strength and stiffness of PA6/PP nanocomposites were improved significantly in the presence of MAH-g-PP. This has been attributed to the synergistic effect of organoclay and MAH-g-PP. The MAH-g-PP compatibilized PA6/PP nanocomposites showed a homogeneous morphology supporting the compatibility improvement between PA6, PP and organoclay. TEM and XRD results revealed the formation of nanocomposites as the organoclay was intercalated and exfoliated. A possible chemical interaction between PA6, PP, organophilic modified montmorillonite and MAH-g-PP was proposed based on the experimental work.     

Effect of hydrocarbon resin on the morphology and mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene/clay composites

The article reports an investigation of the effect of a hydrocarbon resin, Necirés TR100, on the structure, morphology, and properties of two isotactic polypropylene/clay composites. The clays are Dellite HPS, a purified montmorillonite, and Dellite 67G, a purified and modified montmorillonite with a high content of quaternary ammonium salt. Necirés TR100 contains hydroxyl and acid groups, which were expected to interact during the melt mixing with the polar surface of the clays to have intercalation with Dellite HPS and/or exfoliation of Dellite 67G, which is already intercalated by the quaternary ammonium salt. The morphological results indicate that the composite isotactic polypropylene/Dellite HPS presents large and coarse clay domains, whereas the composite isotactic polypropylene/Dellite 67G presents a better distribution of the clay clusters, although the presence of some clay domains of a few μm are also detected. Although results from Wide Angle X‐ray Diffraction have indicated that Necirés TR100 has no effect on the layers distance of Dellite HPS and Dellite 67G its addition produces composites with clay particles homogenously distributed in the polyolefin matrix, better tensile properties (higher values of Young's modululs and elongation to break) and decrease of permeability. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Cellulose/syndiotactic polypropylene composites: Effects of maleated polypropylene as a compatibilizer and silanized cellulose on the morphology and tensile properties

To improve the interaction between syndiotactic polypropylene (SPP) and fibrous cellulose (FC), the effects of the addition of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) and FC surface modification with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) on SPP/FC composites were studied with respect to the morphology and the tensile properties. The addition of MAPP brought about an improvement in the interfacial adhesion between SPP and FC according to scanning electron microscopy observations and tensile testing. This improvement was, however, less effective than the improvement in the interfacial adhesion between isotactic polypropylene (IPP) and FC. SPP and MAPP partially or microscopically phase‐separated because of the IPP‐like polymer chain structure of MAPP. With respect to the compatibility between SPP and FC, FC surface modification with APTES was more suitable. The increase in Young's modulus was remarkable in the SPP/silanized FC composite with APTES. The tensile strength of the SPP/silanized FC composite with APTES was, however, considerably lower than that of the SPP/FC/MAPP composite. These results suggest that interfacial improvement between SPP and FC requires a compatibilizer or a surface modifier with a suitable primary structure. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

POE/HDPE/PP三元复合材料的形貌和力学性能研究

用熔融共混法制备了高密度聚乙烯/聚丙烯(HDPE/PP)和乙烯-辛烯弹性体/高密度聚乙烯/聚丙烯(POE/HDPE/PP)复合材料。通过冲击、弯曲和拉伸测试研究了复合材料的力学性能,采用扫描电镜(SEM)观察了材料的形貌。结果表明,由于HDPE和PP的相容性有限,限制了HDPE对PP综合力学性能的提高;通过添加POE,能改善HDPE/PP共混物的相容性,使HDPE/PP复合材料在保持较高弯曲和拉伸性能的前提下,抗冲击性能获得明显提高。当HDPE/PP的含量比为12/88和POE含量为8wt%时,POE/HDPE/PP三元复合材料的综合力学性能较好。     

Effect of ultrasound on the morphology and properties of polypropylene/inorganic filler composites

The effects of ultrasonic irradiation on the rheology, structure, and properties of PP/inorganic filler composites were studied. Scanning electron microscopy showed that ultrasound increased the orientation degrees of acicular fillers to the flow direction. WAXD indicated that ultrasound vibration induced sheet fillers orient with its surface perpendicular to the direction of the ultrasound vibration. The orderly rearrangements of fillers in the polymer melt induced by ultrasound vibration can reduce the steric hindrances in the flow field and increase the flowability of the PP/inorganic filler composites. The effect of ultrasound on reducing the apparent viscosities is very prominent, especially at lower shear rate. Ultrasound has an even more marked effect on reducing the apparent viscosities of composites containing fillers of larger size. With ultrasound vibration, the mechanical properties of the composites are also improved because of the orientation and uniform dispersion of fillers in the matrix. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1553–1560, 2005     

Effect of corona modification on the mechanical properties of polypropylene/cellulose composites

The effect of various corona treatment conditions on the mechanical properties of cellulose fibers/polypropylene composites was studied. The cellulose fibers and polypropylene were modified using a wide range of corona treatment levels and concentrations of oxygen. The treatment level of the fibers was evaluated using the electrical conductance of their aqueous suspensions. The mechanical properties of composites obtained from different combinations of treated or untreated cellulose fibers and polypropylene were characterized by tensile stress–strain measurements; they improved substantially when either the cellulose fibers alone or both components were treated, although composites made from untreated cellulose fibers and treated polypropylene showed a relatively small improvement. The results obtained indicate that dispersive forces are mostly responsible for the enhanced adhesion. The relationship between the electrical conductance of the fibers, the mechanical properties, and the mechanism of improved adhesion is discussed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effect of pimelic acid treatment on the crystallization,morphology, and mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene/mica composites

Pimelic acid (PA) is used as a new surface modifier for mica (MC). The effects of PA treatment on the crystallization, morphology, and mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene (iPP)/MC composites have been investigated. FTIR analysis reveals that PA reacted with phlogopite MC, and pimelates are formed during the treatment. The results of wide angle X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and polarized light microscopy prove that PA‐treated MC induces a large amount of β‐iPP and decreases the spherulite size of iPP. The results of SEM show that PA treatment improves the orientation and dispersion of MC plates in the matrix. The notched impact strength of the composites is improved dramatically by PA‐treated MC. The superior toughness is ascribed to the more ductile β spherulites, preferential orientation of MC plates, small spherulite size, and improved dispersion of MC plates in the matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1572–1584, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Influence of maleated polypropylene on mechanical properties of composite made of viscose fiber and polypropylene

The purpose of this work was to study how viscose fiber behaves in polypropylene (PP) matrix when maleated polypropylene (MAPP) is used as a coupling agent. The influences of processing conditions on composite properties was of interest. Composites were characterized by FTIR and mechanical testing. The most notable result was the effect of the MAPP concentration on the tensile strength of the composites; the tensile strength increased from 40 to 69 MPa when MAPP was added in amounts up to 6 wt % of the fiber weight. The interaction between MAPP and fiber was confirmed with FTIR. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 1895–1900, 2003     

Effect of reinforcement type on the mechanical properties of polypropylene composites

The possible reinforcing effects of six different types of filler particles on composites based on the thermoplastic polypropylene have been examined. It is found that significant increases in elastic modulus and tensile strength can be obtained by addition of ≥ 10 percent by volume of glass fibers. Ceramic whiskers, based on alumina and silicon carbide, also lead to increases in modulus but to decreases in strength and ductility. Additional measurements were made with composites prepared from two sizes of spherical glass beads and from carbon spheres. For the glass beads, an increase in modulus was obtained but strength and elongation to fracture decreased. Carbon spheres were ineffective as a reinforcing agent. The possible effects of nonuniform mixing, of size and shape of filler particles, and of surface coatings are discussed.     

Influence of injection-molding parameters on the morphology and mechanical properties of glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites

Polypropylene reinforced with glass fiber (28 percent by weight) was injection molded under different processing conditions. The influence of injection-molding parameters such as pressure, injection speed, and injection temperature on the morphology and mechanical properties was studied using standard techniques, viz. polarizing microscope, scanning electron microscope, and Instron Universal testing machine. The observed mechanical properties were explained in terms of skin-core-morphology, transcrystallinity, fiber orientation and void volume. This study attempts to correlate processing conditions with morphology and mechanical properties. Such a study would help in optimizing processing conditions to give composites with desired properties.     

Effect of maleated polypropylene on the performance of polypropylene/cellulose composite

Composites consisting of a polypropylene (PP) and highly crystalline cellulosic microfibers were prepared by melting mixing with the maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as a compatibilizer. The results show that even with addition of a small amount of MAPP, the mechanical properties of the composites improved dramatically. The improvement is attributed to stronger interfacial adhesion caused by esterification between anhydride groups of MAPP and hydroxyl groups of cellulose, although the number of the ester bonds is too few to be detected by FT‐IR spectroscopy. It was also found that tensile strength and Young's modulus increased with the increasing MAPP contents in the composites, and the optimum MAPP content is about 10 wt% for the composite with cellulose content of 30 wt%. SEM indicated that the interfacial adhesion between cellulose fibers and PP improved in MAPP‐containing composites. The DSC results showed that MAPP has little effect on melting and crystallization temperatures of PP in the composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 26:448–453, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The effects of maleated polybutadiene‐grafted polypropylene (MAPB‐g‐PP) content on the properties of wood flour/polypropylene composites

This research investigated the effects of a compatibilizer of maleated polybutadiene‐grafted polypropylene (MAPB‐g‐PP) on the properties of wood‐flour/polypropylene composites through the analysis of mechanical properties, water absorption, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electronic microscopy. The results demonstrate that the mechanical properties of composites were significantly increased; the thermal stability and water absorption were improved. The crystallization temperature and crystallinity were decreased. These improvements have been attributed to the strong interfacial interaction of MAPB‐g‐PP with both wood and polypropylene. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 26:17–23, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of silane‐grafted polypropylene on the mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of talc/polypropylene composites

Talc‐filled polypropylene (PP) composites coupled with silane‐grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐Si) were prepared. Effect of PP‐g‐Si on the mechanical properties, crystallization, and melting behavior of PP composites was investigated. Compared with the uncoupled composites, the mechanical properties of Talc/PP composites coupled with a small amount of PP‐g‐Si were increased to some extent. Meanwhile, PP‐g‐Si can promote crystallization rate and increase crystallization temperature of PP in the composites. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2974–2977, 2000     

Investigation on morphology and mechanical properties of polyamide 6/maleated ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber/organoclay composites

Maleated ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber (EPDM‐g‐MA) toughened polyamide 6 (PA6)/organoclay (OMMT) nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending. The role of OMMT in the morphology of the ternary composites and the relationship between the morphology and mechanical properties were investigated by varying the blending sequence. The PA6/EPDM‐g‐MA/OMMT (80/20/4) composites prepared by four different blending sequences presented distinct morphology and mechanical properties. The addition of OMMT could obviously decrease viscosity of the matrix and weaken the interfacial interactions between PA6 and EPDM‐g‐MA when blending EPDM‐g‐MA with a premixed PA6/OMMT nacocomposite, resulting in the increase of rubber particle size. The final mechanical properties are not only determined by the location of OMMT, but also by the interfacial adhesion between PA6 and EPDM‐g‐MA. Having maximum percentage of OMMT platelets in the PA6 matrix and keeping good interfacial adhesion between PA6 and EPDM‐g‐MA are beneficial to impact strength. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

成核剂对聚丙烯结晶形态及力学性能的影响

研究了有机磷酸盐成核剂对聚丙烯(PP)结晶行为及力学性能的影响．采用差示扫描量热法和偏光显微镜分析比较了3种成核剂。结果表明：添加质量分数为0.2％的成核剂,可使PP的结晶峰温度提高15．6～17．8℃。结晶度增加2．5％～10．5％,同时提高了结晶速率,球晶尺寸大幅度降低;试样的拉伸强度、弯曲模量均有提高。弯曲模量提高15．5％～44．9％。     

Effect of filler dispersion on the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of carbon/polypropylene composites

Conducting carbon/polypropylene composites containing a mixed filler of crystalline natural graphite powder, carbon black, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes have been prepared. The effect of the filler dispersion on the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties has been studied. Keeping the graphite content constant and increasing the ratio of carbon black to nanotubes, the conductivity and the flexural modulus increased linearly at different graphite contents. Graphite aggregates on the cross sections were analyzed by optical microscopy to characterize the dispersion of graphite. The results of the optical microscopy studies showed that the dispersion of graphite is affected by the composition and amount of the nanofiller system. Based on the observations simplified morphological models were set up, that allowed to explain the change in the electrical and mechanical properties of the composites of different compositions. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1195–1203, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of needle density on the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites

The partial impregnation textile preform consisting of chopped-strand, long glass fiber and nonwoven polypropylene (PP) has been prepared by needle-punching to improve fiber–matrix distribution before processing. These unconsolidated textile preforms were then preheated and hot-pressed for consolidation and formation. A multichannel recorder was used to determine the completion of impregnation on multilayer glass fiber-reinforced PP, which could significantly reduce the required consolidation time. The effect of needle density on their impregnation has studied by scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy, along with mechanical analysis. The increasing needle density up to 400 st/cm² has increased the flexural modulus, but the impact strength decreased. The optimal needle density contained proper flexural and impact properties is 50–100 st/cm², consistent with the observations from scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy. A similar phenomenon is also observed by using nonwoven maleic-anhydride-modified polypropylene (mPP) instead of unmodified PP. However, the effect of needle punching on flexural and impact properties is not significant in mPP, which is probably due to better adhesion between glass fiber and mPP matrix. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 2169–2176, 1999     

PP/clay nanocomposites: Effect of clay treatment on morphology and dynamic mechanical properties

The morphology and properties of polypropylene (PP)/clay nanocomposites are described. The melt intercalation of organophilic clay was carried out with a single‐screw extruder. The effects of two kinds of treatments of clay are discussed. Maleic anhydride (MAH)‐grafted PP was used as a compatibilizer. The expansion of the intergallery distance of the clay was governed by the interaction between the clay treatment and the compatibilizer. In one case, the composites exhibited significantly reduced intensities of diffraction peaks, suggesting partial exfoliation of the clay layers, whereas for the second clay sample, expansion of the gallery height was noted. The mechanical properties of the PP/clay composites showed significant enhancement in their mechanical and thermal properties. About a 35% increase in the tensile modulus and about a 10% increase in the tensile strength were observed. The thermal degradation temperature increased from 270 to about 400°C as a result of the incorporation of clay, and the extent depended on the dispersion of clay in the composite. The most interesting outcome of this study was the changes in morphology for PP/clay composites, which are reported here for the first time. An optical microscopic study revealed that the PP/clay composites could be crystallized at higher temperatures than pure PP and that the morphology was remarkably altered because of the presence of layers of clay. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 1786–1792, 2001