Mechanical and thermal properties of toughened polypropylene composites

The mechanical, thermal, and structural properties of a new flexible composite containing polypropylene fiber (PP) in a random poly(propylene‐co‐ethylene) (PPE) matrix with ethylene–propylene elastomer (EP) was investigated with emphasis on the effect of EP elastomer concentration. The intrinsic composition of the composites, toughening of the matrix with EP and the fiber–matrix interface determined the properties of the composites. Through the incorporation of EP elastomer into the polypropylene–poly (propylene‐co‐ethylene) (all‐PP) composite, tensile and storage modulus (E′) decreased, flexural modulus and loss modulus (E″, damping) increased slightly to 0.15 EP and then decreased. There was an increase in impact resistance for the toughened composites, with about 100% increase in comparison with an untoughened all‐PP composite. The composition corresponding to 0.20 weight fraction EP gave optimum impact and mechanical properties. Creep resistance of the composite decreased with increasing EP content, but recovery showed an increase with increasing EP content up to 0.20. Fracture surfaces of composites after impact tests were studied with scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the use and limitation of theoretical equations to predict the tensile and flexural modulus of the flexible PP composite is discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Mechanical properties of injection‐molded isotactic polypropylene/roselle fiber composites

Natural fiber‐thermoplastic composite materials, based on their cost‐effectiveness and environmental friendliness, have attracted much interest both scientifically and technologically in recent years. Other advantages of natural fibers are good specific strength, less abrasion, and less irritation upon inhalation (in comparison with some common inorganic fillers). In the present contribution, roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) fibers were chosen and used as reinforcing fillers for isotactic polypropylene (iPP) for the first time, due mainly to the cost‐effectiveness and natural abundance on Thai soil. Processibility and mechanical properties of the resulting composites were investigated against the type and the mean size of the fibers. The results showed that the highest mechanical properties were observed when roselle bast fibers were incorporated. When whole‐stalk (WS) fibers (i.e., the weight ratio of bast and core fibers was 40 : 60 w/w) were used, moderate mechanical properties of the resulting composites were realized. The optimal contents of the WS fibers and the maleic anhydride‐grafted iPP compatibilizer that resulted in an improvement in some of the mechanical properties of the resulting composites were 40 and 7 wt %, respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3291–3300, 2006     

Short term flexural creep behavior of wood-fiber/polypropylene composites

Short term flexural creep tests were conducted to investigate the creep behavior of wood-fiber polypropylene composites. Three experimental parameters were selected: the addition of a wetting agent, temperature, and wood-fiber concentration. All creep curves are presented in terms of relative creep as a percentage of instantaneous (initial) strain. The creep power law model was used to accurately fit the creep data. The addition of a wetting agent greatly reduced the creep at high stress, but had little effect at a lower stress level. The extent of relative creep increased with increasing temperature. It was found that the slope of the power law model was directly proportional to the temperature. The addition of wood-fibers into pure polymer greatly improved the creep resistance of the matrix polymer. The relative creep of the composites decreased with an increase in wood-fiber concentration. However, the composite showed relatively large creep compared with that of solid wood. It was found that both the time exponent and slope of the power law model were inversely related to wood-fiber concentration. The flexural modulus of the composites also had an inverse relationship with the time exponent.     

High orientation of toughened chalk-filled isotactic polypropylene: Preparation and properties

Chalk-filled isotactic polypropylene (iPP) toughened by modifying the interfaces with liquid oligomer of ethylene oxide was subjected to high deformation at elevated temperature. Oriented chalk-filled material exhibits interesting properties: high concentration of open interconnected pores, high elastic modulus, high tensile strength, ability to absorb large quantities of liquids, white color and roughness of the surface. A continuous process for the production of oriented, toughened, chalk-filled isotactic polypropylene is described. The stretching ratios which can be achieved range from 4 to 8 for modified chalk concentrations with compositions of 60 and 40 wt%, respectively. Solid state extruded, toughened, chalk-filled iPP prepared for comparison exhibits similar morphology and properties as drawn toughened chalk-filled iPP although it contains much less voids.     

Nanostructure and micromechanical properties of reversibly crosslinked isotactic polypropylene/clay composites

Recent developments concerning the methodology used to prepare composites of iPP and nanoclays are reported. Conventional (reactive melt mixing) and in situ preparations were performed, and the structural properties exhibited by the composites are discussed. Results suggest that the nanoclay could exhibit partial and, maybe, total exfoliation within the composites. Adhesion between the polymeric matrix and the nanoclay layers is similar to that obtained after grafting. The experimental procedure used and the analysis performed by means of the wide‐angle X‐ray scattering and differential scanning calorimetry techniques permit to describe, at nanoscale level, the contribution of the nanoclay to the polymer composite system. The microhardness values of the iPP–clay composites depend on the clay content and on the preparation method, and linearly correlate, according to the additivity law, with the degree of crystallinity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Mechanical properties of silver-powder-filled polypropylene composites

Mechanical properties, such as tensile and flexural properties, as well as impact behavior of silver-powder-filled isotactic polypropylene composites were investigated in the composite composition range of 0–5.6 vol% of Ag. Tensile modulus, strength, and elongation at break decreased with incorporation of silver and an increase in silver concentration. Analysis of tensile strength data indicated the introduction of stress concentration and discontinuity in the structure upon addition of Ag particles. Izod impact strength decreased sharply on addition of 0.43 vol % of Ag particles, beyond which the value decreased marginally. Both flexural modulus and strength increased with filler content due to an increase in rigidity. Surface treatment of filler marginally improved mechanical properties. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Mechanical properties of mica-reinforced polypropylene composites

The influence of muscovite mica on the tensile, flexural, and mold shrinkage properties of composites with polypropylene (PP) were investigated. The best results in tensile and flexural properties at room temperature were observed for the physicochemical-treated mica followed by silane-treated mica. The mechanical properties could be correlated with the PP-mica interactions, as observed in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). In the present study, with mica aspect ratio equal to about 30, the optimum performance was obtained for the average flake diameter 80 ⩽ d (μm) ⩽ 280. Finally, the results of coloration and weathering are discussed. It was found that the PP/30 percent mica formulation has superior weathering characteristics over the neat PP resin.     

Phenolic rigid organic filler/isotactic polypropylene composites. II. Tensile properties

A novel phenolic rigid organic filler (KT) was used to modify isotactic polypropylene (iPP). The influence of KT particles on the tensile properties of PP/KT microcomposites was studied by uniaxial tensile test and the morphological structures of the stretched specimens were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). We found that the Young’s modulus of PP/KT specimens increased with filler content, while the yield and break of the specimens are related to the filler particles size. The yield stress, the breaking stress and the ultimate elongation of PP/KT specimens were close to those of unfilled iPP specimens when the maximal filler particles size is less than a critical value, which is 7 μm at a crosshead speed of 10 mm/min and 3 μm at 200 mm/min, close to that of glass bead but far more than those of other rigid inorganic filler particles. The interfacial interaction was further estimated from yield stress, indicating that KT particles have a moderate interfacial interaction with iPP matrix. Thus, the incorporation of small KT particles can reinforce iPP matrix and simultaneously cause few detrimental effects on the other excellent tensile properties of iPP matrix, due to their organic nature, higher specific area, solid true-spherical shape and the homogenous dispersion of the ROF particles in microcomposites.     

Phenolic rigid organic filler/isotactic polypropylene composites. II. Tensile properties

A novel phenolic rigid organic filler (KT) was used to modify isotactic polypropylene (iPP). The influence of KT particles on the tensile properties of PP/KT microcomposites was studied by uniaxial tensile test and the morphological structures of the stretched specimens were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). We found that the Young’s modulus of PP/KT specimens increased with filler content, while the yield and break of the specimens are related to the filler particles size. The yield stress, the breaking stress and the ultimate elongation of PP/KT specimens were close to those of unfilled iPP specimens when the maximal filler particles size is less than a critical value, which is 7 ?m at a crosshead speed of 10 mm/min and 3 ?m at 200 mm/min, close to that of glass bead but far more than those of other rigid inorganic filler particles. The interfacial interaction was further estimated from yield stress, indicating that KT particles have a moderate interfacial interaction with iPP matrix. Thus, the incorporation of small KT particles can reinforce iPP matrix and simultaneously cause few detrimental effects on the other excellent tensile properties of iPP matrix, due to their organic nature, higher specific area, solid true-spherical shape and the homogenous dispersion of the ROF particles in microcomposites.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene/sugarcane Bagasse composites

To determine the possibility of using sugarcane bagasse (SCB) waste as reinforcing filler in the thermoplastic polymer matrix, SCB‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared. The PP and SCB composites were prepared by the extrusion of PP resin with 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt % of SCB filler in a corotating twin screw extruder. The extruded strands were cut into pellets and injection molded to make test specimens. These specimens were tested for physicomechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, Izod, and Charpy impact strengths, density, water absorption, and thermal characteristics, namely, heat deflection temperature (HDT), melt flow index, and thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that the flexural strength increased from 23.66 to 26.84 MPa, Izod impact strength increased from 10.499 to 13.23 Kg cm/cm, Charpy impact strength increased from 10.096 to 13.98 Kg cm/cm, and HDT increased from 45.5 to 66.5°C, with increase in filler loading from 5 to 20% in the PP matrix. However, the tensile strength and elongation decreased from 32.22 to 27.21 MPa and 164.4 to 11.20% respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3827–3832, 2007     

Stereoblock polypropylene/isotactic polypropylene blends. II. Mechanical behavior

The mechanical properties of stereoblock polypropylene/isotactic polypropylene blends have been analyzed at different temperatures and at large deformations. The samples at a lower content of isotactic polypropylene show good elastic properties, both in terms of deformation reversibility and in terms of energy dissipation in the hystersis cycles. Considering the dependence of the elastic behavior on the temperature, the model that can be suggested is based on the presence of a physical network in which the cross-linking is due to cocrystallization between the matrix (the stereblock polypropylene) and the crystalline domains of isotactic polypropylene. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Crystallization behaviors in the isotactic polypropylene/graphene composites

Crystallization behaviors and kinetics of iPP in an in-situ prepared isotactic polypropylene/graphene (iPP/G) composites were studied in this paper. In samples used in this study, the graphene fillers were well dispersed, and the interfacial adhesion exhibited enhanced features between graphene and iPP components. The thermal stability of the composites was improved by about 100 °C compared to the pristine iPP. It was found that the crystallization morphology, crystallization rate and kinetics of the iPP/G composites were significantly influenced by the presence of graphene. The nucleation and epitaxial growth of iPP on the graphene surface were observed and studied in detail. It was observed that the nucleation of iPP favored to occur at the wrinkles and edges due to the good match of the lattice parameters and the weak spatial hindrance compared to the smooth surface. Numerous nuclei epitaxially formed and the size of the crystals was very small. The schematic diagram was also proposed for the nucleation and growth process of iPP on the graphene surface in the iPP/G composites. Meanwhile, the overall crystallization kinetics and crystals growth were analyzed through Avrami equation. The obtained Avrami index n decreased with the graphene loadings and was close to 2 for the iPP/G composites, which implied that the growth of iPP in the composites was in two-dimension. And this was caused by the structure of graphene and the spatial confinement effect of graphene platelets in the iPP/G composites.     

Preparation and balanced mechanical properties of solid and foamed isotactic polypropylene/SEBS composites

This study presents a self-designed foaming apparatus and routes to manufacture foamed isotactic polypropylene (iPP) blends with uniform and dense cells, using styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS) block copolymer as toughening additive. The addition of SEBS can clearly enhance the impact strength of solid iPP, iPP blends with a 20 wt% SEBS has obtained high notched impact strength of 75 kJ/m², which is ca. 16 times larger than that of neat iPP. Relatively fine microcellular iPP-SEBS foams with the average cell size of several micrometers, and the cell density of 10⁹ cells/cm³ were fabricated using a batch foaming procedure. Moreover, using our self-designed mold and compression foaming method, iPP-SEBS foams with balanced mechanical properties were produced. With the increasing of SEBS, tensile strength and flexural strength were slightly decreased, but the impact strength was increased clearly. The balanced mechanical properties between stiffness and toughness were achieved after compression foaming.     

Mechanical properties of maleic anhydride treated jute fibre/polypropylene composites

Abstract

The effect of maleic anhydride (MA) modification of jute fibre on the mechanical properties of jute/polypropylene (PP) composites was studied. Jute fibre, an environmental friendly, low-density renewable material was chemically modified with MA before the incorporation with PP to improve interfacial adhesion between them. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) study showed that the C=C groups of MA attached to jute cellulose reacted with the PP matrix. Jute fibre/PP composite treated with MA displayed higher Young's modulus and dynamic storage modulus owing to the enhanced interfacial adhesion between the fibre and PP matrix. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study showed evidence of the enhanced adhesion and bridging in the interfacial region of the composite as the result of MA modification of jute fibre.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene/modified basalt fabric composites

Basalt fabric (BF) was first treated with silane coupling agent KH550, modified basalt fabric (MBF) was obtained. Then MBF were molded with polypropylene (PP) matrix, and polypropylene/modified basalt fabrics (PP/MBF) composites were obtained. The influence of concentration and treating time of KH550 on MBF were characterized by hydrophilicity and lipophilicity. The tensile strength and morphology of basalt fabric were tested by single filament strength tester and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties of composites were measured with electronic universal testing machine and impact testing machine, and the thermal properties were tested by thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis. The results showed that the lipophilicity of MBF is improved significantly by KH550 while the tensile is nearly damaged. The mechanical properties of composites are larger than that of pure PP, among which the impact property was improved the most, showing 194.12% enhancement. The thermal stability and dynamic viscoelasticity were better than pure PP; furthermore, the concentration of KH550 virtually had no effect on the thermal stability. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42504.     

Mechanical properties of nanosilica/polypropylene composites under dynamic compression loading

This article presents results on the dynamic mechanical properties of PP‐SiO₂ nanocomposites, with nanosilica contents of 1, 3, and 5% by weight, at various strain rates using a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus. The specimens were prepared using a hot compression technique. The dynamic mechanical characteristics, of PP‐SiO₂ nanocomposites, are illustrated in terms of stress–strain curves, up to nearly 1100 s⁻¹ of strain rates. From the results, the yield stress, compression modulus, and compressive strength of the composites, were significantly influenced by the strain rates and nanosilica contents. The values of strain rate sensitivity, and dissipation energy of the composites at various strain rates, were also determined. It was found that the strain rate sensitivity, and the dissipation energy, increased with increasing strain rates. In addition, it was observed that the composites experienced more severe damage under a high strain rate loading, compared to a low strain rate loading. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical properties of surface modified jute fiber/polypropylene nonwoven composites

In this study, the jute/polypropylene nonwoven reinforced composites were prepared using film stacking method. The surface of jute fibers was modified using alkali treatment. These alkali treated jute fiber nonwoven composites were analyzed for their tensile and flexural properties. Increasing the amount of jute fibers in the nonwovens has improved the mechanical properties of their composites. The effect of stacking sequence of preferentially and nonpreferentially aligned nonwovens within the composites was also investigated. The flexural and tensile moduli of composites were found to be significantly enhanced when nonwovens consisting of preferentially and nonpreferentially aligned jute fibers were stacked in an alternate manner. The existing theoretical models of tensile modulus of fiber reinforced composites have been analyzed for predicting the tensile modulus of nonwoven composites. In general, a good agreement was obtained between the experimental and theoretical results of tensile modulus of nonwoven composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1044–1050, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical properties of plasma-treated sisal fibre-reinforced polypropylene composites

In recent years, sisal fibres have become a promising reinforcement for composites because of their low cost, low density, high specific strength, high specific modulus, easy availability and renewability. However, the poor adhesion between the hydrophilic sisal fibre and the hydrophobic thermoplastic matrices has adversely affected the widespread use of these composites. In this study, argon and air-plasma treatments have been used to modify the fibre surfaces under suitable treatment parameters to improve the compatibility between sisal fibres and polypropylene (PP). Sisal fibres and PP fibres are blended together to form a random mat which is then vacuum hot-pressed into a preimpregnated composite sheet. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and modulus, and the storage modulus of the composite sheets improve after the incorporation of plasma-treated fibres. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy analyses reveal the increased surface roughness of sisal fibre. Surface characterisation has been performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, showing an increase in oxygen/carbon ratio of sisal fibres after plasma treatment.     

Mechanical properties of flame retardant filled polypropylene composites

The flammability performance and mechanical behaviors for halogen‐based and non‐halogen‐based flame retardant (FR) filled polypropylene (PP) composites were investigated in this study. The halogen‐based FR system consisted of a mixture of brominated phosphate ester and antimony trioxide (BR), and the halogen‐free FR was a magnesium hydroxide (MH). It was found from limiting oxygen index measurements that 60 wt % of MH was needed in order to achieve the same degree of flammability as the composite containing only 30 wt % of BR. Scanning electron microscopy examinations of the fractured specimens indicated that the interfacial bond strength between PP and MH was stronger than that for PP and BR. The notched Charpy impact strength and the impact fracture toughness were measured and compared. The discrepancies between the two impact test results could be correlated after kinetic energy correction was applied to the Charpy impact strengths. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2718–2728, 2001     

Mechanical properties of Mg(OH)2/polypropylene composites modified by functionalized polypropylene

Modified Mg(OH)₂/polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by the addition of functionalized polypropylene (FPP); and acrylic acid (AA) and by the formation of in situ FPP. The effects of the addition of FPP and AA and the formation of in situ FPP on the mechanical properties of Mg(OH)₂/PP composites were investigated. Experimental results indicated that the addition of Mg(OH)₂ markedly reduced the mechanical properties of PP. The extent of reduction in notch impact strength of PP was higher than that in flexural strength and tensile strength. However, tensile modulus and flexural modulus increased with increased Mg(OH)₂ content. The addition of FPP facilitated the improvement in the flexural strength and tensile strength of Mg(OH)₂/PP composites. The higher the Mg(OH)₂ content was, the more significant the effect of FPP was. The incorporation of AA resulted in further increased mechanical properties, in particular the flexural strength, tensile strength, and notch impact strength of Mg(OH)₂/PP composites containing high levels of Mg(OH)₂. It not only improved mechanical properties but also increased the flame retardance of Mg(OH)₂/PP composites. Although the mechanical properties of composites modified by the formation of in situ FPP were lower than those of composites modified by only the addition of AA in the absence of diamylperoxide, the mechanical properties did not decline with increased Mg(OH)₂ content. Moreover, the mechanical properties increased with increasing AA content. The addition of an oxidation resistant did not influence the mechanical properties of the modified Mg(OH)₂/PP composites. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2139–2147, 2003