Effect of talc on the properties of polypropylene/ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer blends

In the present study, the effect of talc content on the mechanical, thermal, and microstructural properties of the isotactic polypropylene (i‐PP) and elastomeric ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer (EPDM) blends were investigated. In the experimental study, five different talc concentrations, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 wt %, were added to i‐PP/EPDM (88/12) blends to produce ternary composites. The mechanical properties such as yield and tensile strengths, elongation at break, elasticity modulus, izod impact strength for notch tip radius of 1 mm, and hardness with and without heat treatments and thermal properties, such as melt flow index (MFI), of the ternary composites have been investigated. The annealing heat treatment was carried out at 100°C for holding time of 75 h. From the tensile test results, an increased trend for the yield and tensile strengths and elasticity modulus was seen for lower talc contents, while elongation at break showed a sharp decrease with the addition of talc. In the case of MFI, talc addition decreased the MFI of i‐PP/EPDM blends. It was concluded that, taking into consideration, mechanical properties and annealing heat treatment, heat treatment has much more effect on higher yield and tensile strengths, elongation at break, elasticity modulus, impact strength, and hardness. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3033–3039, 2006     

Mechanical properties of blocked polyurethane/epoxy interpenetrating polymer networks

The mechanical properties of blocked polyurethane(PU)/epoxy interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were studied by means of their static and damping properties. The studies of static mechanical properties of IPNs are based on tensile properties, flexural properties, hardness, and impact method. Results show that the tensile strength, flexural strength, tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and hardness of IPNs decreased with increase in blocked PU content. The impact strength of IPNs increased with increase in blocked PU content. It shows that the tensile strength, flexural strength, tensile modulus, and flexural modulus of IPNs increased with filler (CaCO₃) content to a maximum value at 5, 10, 20, and 25 phr, respectively, and then decreased. The higher the filler content, the greater the hardness of IPNs and the lower the notched Izod impact strength of IPNs. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of IPNs were shifted inwardly compared with those of blocked PU and epoxy, which indicated that the blocked PU/epoxy IPNs showed excellent compatibility. Meanwhile, the T_g was shifted to a higher temperature with increasing filler (CaCO₃) content. The dynamic storage modulus (E′) of IPNs increased with increase in epoxy and filler content. The higher the blocked PU content, the greater the swelling ratio of IPNs and the lower the density of IPNs. The higher the filler (CaCO₃) content, the greater the density of IPNs, and the lower the swelling ratio of IPNs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1826–1832, 2006     

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

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

Mechanical properties of i-PP/CaCO3 composites

Tensile and impact behavior of CaCO₃-filled polypropylene was studied in the composition range 0–60 wt % filler. Tensile modulus increased while tensile strength and breaking elongation decreased with increase in CaCO₃ content. The modulus increase and elongation decrease were attributed to increased filler–polymer interaction resulting in reduction in molecular mobility, while increased amorphization and obstruction to stress transfer accounted for the tensile strength decrease. Analysis of tensile strength data showed introduction of stress concentration in the composites. Izod impact strength at first increased up to a critical CaCO₃ content, beyond which the value decreased. Surface treatment of CaCO₃ with a titanate coupling agent LICA 12 enhances the adhesion of the filler and polymer, which further modifies the strength properties. Scanning electron microscopic studies indicated better dispersion of CaCO₃ particles upon surface treatment, which effected the changes in the strength properties of the composites.     

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

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

Mechanical properties of styrene–butadiene–styrene block copolymer composites filled with calcium carbonate treated by liquid polybutadienes

The factors influencing the mechanical properties of styrene–butadiene–styrene block copolymer (SBS) composites filled with liquid polybutadiene (LB)‐surface‐treated calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) were investigated with respect to the molecular structure of the LB, the amount of the LB adsorbed on the CaCO₃ surface, the heat treatment conditions, and the surface treatment method. The mechanical properties, such as the modulus, tensile strength at break, tear strength, storage modulus, and tension set, of the SBS composites were improved remarkably through the filling of CaCO₃ surface‐treated with a carboxylated LB with a high content of 1,2‐double bonds. The heat treatment of LB–CaCO₃ in air was also effective in enhancing such properties. When SBS, CaCO₃, and LB were directly blended (with the integral blend method), secondary aggregation of CaCO₃ took place, and the mechanical properties of the composite were significantly lower. In the integral blend method, LB functioned as a plasticizer. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Effect of surface modifiers and surface modification methods on properties of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene/poly(methyl methacrylate)/nano‐calcium carbonate composites

Nano‐calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO₃) was used in this article to fill acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which is often used in rapid heat cycle molding process (RHCM). To achieve better adhesion between nano‐CaCO₃ and ABS/PMMA, nano‐CaCO₃ particles were modified by using titanate coupling agent, aluminum–titanium compound coupling agent, and stearic acid. Dry and solution methods were both utilized in the surface modification process. ABS/PMMA/nano‐CaCO₃ composites were prepared in a corotating twin screw extruder. Influence of surface modifiers and surface modification methods on mechanical and flow properties of composites was analyzed. The results showed that collaborative use of aluminum–titanium compound coupling agent and stearic acid for nano‐CaCO₃ surface modification is optimal in ABS/PMMA/nano‐CaCO₃ composites. Coupling agent can increase the melt flow index (MFI) and tensile yield strength of ABS/PMMA/nano‐CaCO₃ composites. The Izod impact strength of composites increases with the addition of titanate coupling agent up to 1 wt %, thereafter the Izod impact strength shows a decrease. The interfacial adhesion between nano‐CaCO₃ and ABS/PMMA is stronger by using solution method. But the dispersion uniformity of nano‐CaCO₃ modified by solution method is worse. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Mechanical properties,thermal stability,and crystallization kinetics of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutyrate)/calcium carbonate composites

Bacterial polyester poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutyrate) (P3/4HB) containing 5 mol% 4HB was composited with different calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) fillers. The effect of CaCO₃ contents on thermal properties, mechanical property, and crystallization kinetics was evaluated. The thermal stability of P3/4HB was reduced by mixing with CaCO₃ particles. With increasing CaCO₃ content, the elongation at break, tensile strength, and impact strength decrease; however, elastic modulus increases. When P3/4HB with 20 mol% 4HB was added into the P3/4HB/CaCO₃ composite, the impact strength were enhanced significantly; however, the elongation at break and tensile strength were only slight to moderate improvements. However, when compared with nano‐ and light‐CaCO₃, heavy CaCO₃ had the best mechanical properties. The nonisothermal and isothermal crystallization results demonstrated that the crystallization rate of P3/4HB was reduced and the highest crystallinity was obtained for all kinds of CaCO₃ fillers at 40 phr content. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of mold cavity temperature on surface quality and mechanical properties of nanoparticle‐filled polymer in rapid heat cycle molding

Acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS)/poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) and ABS/PMMA/nano‐CaCO₃ composites were prepared in a corotating twin screw extruder. Single‐gate and double‐gate samples were molded based on a rapid heat cycle molding (RHCM) system. Effects of mold cavity temperature on surface quality and mechanical properties of single‐gate and double‐gate samples in RHCM process were conducted. The results showed that surface quality of plastic parts can be improved significantly by increasing mold cavity temperature. Nano‐CaCO₃ particles on the surface of plastic parts can be eliminated by using high mold cavity temperature. The roughness and gloss of two kinds of plastic parts (ABS/PMMA and ABS/PMMA/nano‐CaCO₃) stabilized at the same level when the mold cavity temperature is above glass transition temperature of resin material. Weld line can be eliminated in RHCM process during high mold cavity temperature. The tensile strength of both ABS/PMMA and ABS/PMMA/nano‐CaCO₃ exhibited decreasing trend with the increase of mold cavity temperature. Reduction of internal stress gave rise to the increase of Izod impact strength of ABS/PMMA for both sing‐gate and double‐gate samples. However, influence regularity of mold cavity temperature on Izod impact strength of ABS/PMMA/nano‐CaCO₃ is depended on the number of gates. For all the samples in this study, too high of mold cavity temperature (higher than 125°C) deprave Izod impact strength of plastic parts. Both ABS/PMMA and ABS/PMMA/nano‐CaCO₃ are not susceptible to weld line. When the mold surface temperature is approximately equal to glass transition temperature of resin material, all the samples are found to give the best combination of properties. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41420.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of glass bead–filled nylon‐6

The mechanical and thermal properties of glass bead–filled nylon‐6 were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), tensile testing, Izod impact, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests. DMA results showed that the incorporation of glass beads could lead to a substantial increase of the glass‐transition temperature (T_g) of the blend, indicating that there existed strong interaction between glass beads and the nylon‐6 matrix. Results of further calculation revealed that the average interaction between glass beads and the nylon‐6 matrix deceased with increasing glass bead content as a result of the coalescence of glass beads. This conclusion was supported by SEM observations. Impact testing revealed that the notch Izod impact strength of nylon‐6/glass bead blends substantially decreased with increasing glass bead content. Moreover, static tensile measurements implied that the Young's modulus of the nylon‐6/glass bead blends increased considerably, whereas the tensile strength clearly decreased with increasing glass bead content. Finally, TGA and DSC measurements indicated that the thermal stability of the blend was obviously improved by incorporation of glass beads, whereas the melting behavior of the nylon‐6 remained relatively unchanged with increasing glass bead content. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1885–1890, 2004     

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Iron Powder Filled Polystyrene Composites

This article reports on an experimental study of the physical and mechanical properties of Polystyrene (PS) and Fe-PS polymer composites containing 5, 10, and 15 vol.% of Fe powder. After mixing Fe powder and PS in a twin-screw extruder, an injection-molding machine was used to prepare unfilled PS and Fe-PS polymer composite samples. After that, the material properties were experimentally determined for each sample. The investigated material properties included the modulus of elasticity, yield and tensile strength, % elongation, Izod impact strength (notched), hardness (Shore D), melt flow index (MFI), heat deflection temperature (HDT), Vicat softening point, and glass transition temperature (T _g ). The results indicated that, compared to the unfilled PS, an addition of Fe into PS decreases the yield and tensile strength, % elongation, and Izod impact strength. Furthermore, it was determined that the Fe particles increase the modulus of elasticity, hardness, MFI, Vicat softening point, and HDT values.     

Morphology and mechanical properties of PP/POE/nano‐CaCO3 composites

The mechanical properties including tensile, flexural, and impact of the nanometer on calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO₃) filled polypropylene (PP)/poly (ethylene‐co‐octene) (POE) composites were measured at room temperature to identify the effects of the POE content on the mechanical properties. It was found that the Young's modulus, tensile strength, and tensile elongation at break decreased nonlinearly while the tensile fracture strength varied slightly with increasing the POE weight fraction; the V‐notched and unnotched Izod impact fracture strength increased nonlinearly with an increase of the POE weight fraction; the flexural modulus and strength decreased roughly linearly with increasing the POE weight fraction. Furthermore, the impact fracture surface of the specimens was observed by means of a scanning electronic microscope to discuss the toughening mechanisms. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:539–546, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical,thermal, and microstructural properties of polypropylene/polyamide‐6/styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene polymer alloys

Interfacial agents as compatibilizers have recently been introduced into polymer blends to improve the microstructure and mechanical properties of thermoplastics. In this way, it is possible to prepare a mixture of polymeric materials that can have superior mechanical properties over a wide temperature range. In this study, an incompatible blend of polypropylene (PP) and polyamide‐6 (PA₆) were made compatible by the addition of 10% styrene–ethylene–butadiene–styrene copolymer (SEBS). The mixing operation was conducted by using a twin‐screw extruder. The morphology and the compatibility of the mixtures were examined by SEM and DSC techniques. Furthermore, the elastic modulus, tensile and yield strengths, percentage elongation, hardness, melt flow index, Izod impact resistance, heat deflection temperature (HDT), and Vicat softening point values of polymer alloys of various ratios were determined. It was found that the addition of SEBS to the structures decreased the tensile strength, yield strength, elastic modulus, and hardness, whereas it increased the Izod impact strength and percentage elongation values. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3485–3491, 2003     

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

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

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

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

The physical and mechanical properties of polymer composites filled with Fe‐powder

In this study, the effect of Fe powder on the physical and mechanical properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) was investigated experimentally. HDPE and HDPE containing 5, 10, and 15 vol % Fe metal–polymer composites were prepared with a twin screw extruder and injection molding. After this, fracture surface, the modulus of elasticity, yield and tensile strength, % elongation, Izod impact strength (notched), hardness (Shore D), Vicat softening point, heat deflection temperature (HDT), melt flow index (MFI), and melting temperature (T_m) were determined, for each sample. When the physical and mechanical properties of the composites were compared with the results of unfilled HDPE, it was found that the yield and tensile strength, % elongation, and Izod impact strength of HDPE decreased with the vol % of Fe. As compared with the tensile strength and % elongation of unfilled HDPE, tensile strength and % elongation of 15 vol % Fe filled HDPE were lower, about 17.40% and 94.75% respectively. On the other hand, addition of Fe into HDPE increased the modulus of elasticity, hardness, Vicat softening, MFI, and HDT values, such that 15 vol % Fe increased the modulus of elasticity to about 48%. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

Physical aging and thermal aging resistance of polycarbonate/poly(styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene) blends

The effect of thermal annealing on the mechanical properties of polycarbonate (PC) was investigated by tensile testing, Izod impact testing, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). An endothermic peak appeared in the DSC curve by annealing at various temperatures below T_g. The peak area, as a measure of the degree of physical aging, increased with annealing time. The Izod impact strength decreased suddenly just before an endothermic peak became detectable. The results imply that at the very early stage of physical aging, a trigger for the ductile‐to‐brittle transition may be initiated. By blending hydrogenated styrene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer (SEBS), the embrittlement by annealing was prevented. That is, in the PC/SEBS blends, the physical aging of PC matrix proceeded in the same way as in neat PC; however, the Izod impact strength did not decrease. This thermal aging resistance seems to originate from the negative pressure effect of SEBS particles that provides dilational stress fields for PC matrix to enhance the local segment motions. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 52:1958–1963, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical and thermal properties of polycarbonate. II. Influence of titanium dioxide content and quenching on pigmented polycarbonate

The effects of quenching temperature including different thermal histories on mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of pigmented polycarbonate (PC/TiO₂) were investigated. Tensile test, Izod impact strength and heat distortion temperature (HDT) were performed on specimens of 3 mm thickness. Pigment content and quenching temperature are two key factors that affect the properties of the materials. A higher content of pigments results in an increase of modulus of elasticity and a decrease of unotched and notched Izod impact strength, as well as elongation at break. A maximum of yield stress and HDT is obtained at 3% of TiO₂, which was considered as the optimum level of pigment. An additional second quenching at 40°C has allowed to improve Izod impact strength and elongation at break of specimens with 3% of TiO₂; whereas modulus of elasticity, density, yield stress, and HDT were minimum at this quenching temperature. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Rheological and mechanical properties of PVC/CaCO3 nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ polymerization of vinyl chloride (VC) in the presence of CaCO₃ nanoparticles. Their thermal, rheological and mechanical properties were evaluated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), capillary rheometry, tensile and impact fracture tests. The results showed that CaCO₃ nanoparticles were uniformly distributed in the PVC matrix during in situ polymerization of VC with 5.0 wt% or less nanoparticles. The glass transition and thermal decomposition temperatures of PVC phase in PVC/CaCO₃ nanocomposites are shifted toward higher temperatures by the restriction of CaCO₃ nanoparticles on the segmental and long-range chain mobility of the PVC phase. The nanocomposites showed shear thinning and power law behaviors. The ‘ball bearing’ effect of the spherical nanoparticles decreased the apparent viscosity of the PVC/CaCO₃ nanocomposite melts, and the viscosity sensitivity on shear rate of the PVC/CaCO₃ nanocomposite is higher than that of pristine PVC. Moreover, CaCO₃ nanoparticles stiffen and toughen PVC simultaneously, and optimal properties were achieved at 5 wt% of CaCO₃ nanoparticles in Young's modulus, tensile yield strength, elongation at break and Charpy notched impact energy. Detailed examinations of micro-failure micromechanisms of impact and tensile specimens showed that the CaCO₃ nanoparticles acted as stress raisers leading to debonding/voiding and deformation of the matrix material around the nanoparticles. These mechanisms also lead to impact toughening of the nanocomposites.     

The Effect of Bronze Particles on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Copolymer

In this study, 5, 10, and 15 vol.% of bronze (Cu-10 wt.% Sn) powder on the physical and mechanical properties of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) were investigated experimentally. After preparing metal-polymer matrix composites (PMC) with a twin screw extruder and injection molding, fracture surface, the modulus of elasticity, yield and tensile strength, percentage elongation, Izod impact strength, hardness (Shore D), melt flow index (MFI), heat deflection temperature (HDT), Vicat softening point, and glass transition temperature (T _g) of each sample were determined. As compared to the unfilled ABS. It was found that by increasing the vol.% of bronze in ABS, yield and tensile strength, % elongation, Izod impact strength, MFI values decreased, while the modulus of elasticity, Shore D hardness, Vicat softening point, and HDT values increased.