Investigation of improvement of thermal and mechanical properties of polypropylene / nano clay composites

Abstract

This work aims to study the characterizations and modifications of systems based on polypropylene (PP) and nanoclay (NC). In this context, the effects of thermal and mechanical properties of the compsites of nanoclays with different loading of 1, 3, and 6% incorporated in PP matrix were investigated. The influences of thermal and mechanical properties on the preparation of polypropylene/nanoclay (PPNC) composite were investigated. The results of the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that thermal stability increased with higher loadings of nanoclay. The tensile properties of PP and PPNC were also studied. The tensile strength of PP with the higher loading of nanoclay increased by 24.40% compared to that of the pure PP matrix (27.5MPa). The modulus of elasticity of PPNC with higher loading of 6% NC was higher by 17.32% than that of pure PP. The elongation at break of PPNC reduced by 53%, by comparing with pure PP. The Tg of PNCC with higher loading of NC were higher by 8.6%. The degree of crystallinity of PPNC was higher by 27% than pure PP.

Mechanical and thermal characterisations of low-density polyethylene/nanoclay composites

“…The nanoclay utilised was the type (Cloisite 30B) and was received from Southern Clay Products (USA). 16 Nanoclay contains organically modified nanometre-scale crystal, which are layered by magnesium aluminium silicate platelets and the density is about 0.23 ± 0.03 g/cm 3 . Moisture content is ≤2%, and the particle size is approximately 2 μm.…”

“…The thermal stability was tested and investigated based on the thermal decomposition of LDPE and LDPE nanocomposites samples within the above temperature range. 16…”

“…Polymer nanocomposites have been widely used in several applications as industrial, construction, and medical sectors accroding to their excellent chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. 1-4 Polymer nanocomposites consist of nano-sized fillers, show superior properties at a lower loading than conventional composites. 4 Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a commodity polymer, cheap, versatile, with wide uses in a variety of forms such as plastic packages.…”

“…1-4 Polymer nanocomposites consist of nano-sized fillers, show superior properties at a lower loading than conventional composites. 4 Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a commodity polymer, cheap, versatile, with wide uses in a variety of forms such as plastic packages. An improvement of LDPE properties should be of interest in order to raise its application fields.…”

Characterisation and Performance of Low-Density Poly Ethylene-Corn Flour Composites

“…The mechanical properties of the untreated LDPE composites were observed, due to the reinforcing effect imparted by the natural fillers which allowed a uniform stress distribution from the continuous polymer matrix to the dispersed fibre phase [14][15][16][17]. However, there was a general improvement in the mechanical properties of the polymer composites in comparison to those of the polymer matrix [18][19][20].…”