Estimation of reinforcement in compatibilized polypropylene nanocomposites by extensional rheology |
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| Authors: | Stephan Laske Milan Kracalik Michael Gschweitl Michael Feuchter Günther Maier Gerald Pinter Ralf Thomann Walter Friesenbichler Günter Rüdiger Langecker |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Institute of Plastics Processing, University of Leoben, Leoben 8700, Austria;2. Institute of Materials Science and Testing of Plastics, University of Leoben, Leoben 8700, Austria;3. Materials Center Leoben Forschung GmbH, Roseggerstrasse 12, Leoben 8700, Austria;4. Freiburg Materials Research Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany |
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| Abstract: | Structural characterization in polymer nanocomposites is usually performed using X‐ray scattering and microscopic techniques, whereas the improvements in processing and mechanical properties are commonly investigated by rotational rheometry and tensile testing. However, all of these techniques are time consuming and require quite expensive scientific equipment. It has been shown that a fast and efficient way of estimating the level of reinforcement in polymer nanocomposites can be performed by melt extensional rheology, because it is possible to correlate the level of melt strength with mechanical properties, which reflect both the 3D network formed by the clay platelets/polymer chains as well as final molecular structure in the filled system. The physical network made of silicate filler and polymer matrix has been evaluated by X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Extensional rheometry and tensile testing have been used to measure efficiency of the compatibilizer amount in a polypropylene‐nanoclay system. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009 |
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| Keywords: | nanocomposites melt compounding melt strength |
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