Rheological and mechanical properties of polypropylene/calcium carbonate nanocomposites prepared from masterbatch

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP)/calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) nanocomposites were prepared from masterbatch by melt blending in a twin-screw extruder. The effect of three different nano-CaCO 3 loadings (5, 10, and 15 wt%) on the rheological/viscoelastic and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites was investigated. A scanning electron microscopy was used to study the morphology of the nanocomposites, whereas a differential scanning calorimetry was used to analyze the thermal properties. The rheological properties were characterized using an oscillatory rheometer, and the mechanical properties were characterized by a tensile test machine. In the melt rheological study, a frequency sweep test showed that the complex viscosity à j j, the storage modulus (G 0 ), and the loss modulus (G 00 ) of the nanocomposites increased with nano-CaCO 3 loading. The increase in à j j was approximately 1.4-1.9 times greater than that of the PP matrix. Shearthinning behavior was also observed for the nanocomposite samples. Additionally, the relaxation time spectrum and the relaxation modulus, G(t), were determined by fitting experimental data (G 0 and G 00 ) using the Maxwell element method via numerical analysis. The results showed that the time required for stress relaxation of the nanocomposites was longer than that of the matrix. In the solid viscoelastic study, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis results showed that the G 0 value of the nanocomposites increased by approximately 15-25% compared with that of neat PP. The tensile test results showed an improvement in the tensile modulus and toughness (especially at 10 and 15 wt%), Downloaded from while the tensile strength showed a moderate decrease. On the other hand, the incorporation of nano-CaCO 3 in the PP matrix has enhanced the overall flexural and Izod impact properties of the nanocomposites.

Enhancing thermal and mechanical properties of polypropylene using masterbatches of nanoclay and nano-CaCO3: A review

“…It was known that toughness was more sensitive to the strain compared to the modulus elasticity. Additionally, the modulus elasticity, E for the PP/nano-CaCO3 composites also increased with the increase of nano-CaCO3 particles [37]. The enhancement of E was approximately 6.9, 12.7, and 16.6% with the addition of 5, 10, and 15 wt% of nano-CaCO3, respectively.…”

“…Whereas, for PP/CaCO3 nanocomposites, Chafidz, et al [37] reported that the Tc of the nanocomposites has also increased from 112°C to 117°C, which indicated that nano-CaCO3 also acting as nucleating agent, which enhanced the crystallization process, in which the crystallization process started earlier. The Xc value of the nanocomposites also slightly increased, which achieved maximum at 10 wt% of nano-CaCO3 loading (i.e.…”

Characterization of Ultrafine Cellulose-filled High-Density Polyethylene Composites Prepared using Different Compounding Methods

“…In general, the UFC-filled HDPE composites exhibited higher viscosities than the neat HDPE at lower shear rates (< 0.1 1/s). Chafidz et al (2014) discovered a similar phenomenon that was attributed to the restriction of molecular mobility and the reduction in free volume induced by the interaction and dispersion of cellulose in the polypropylene matrix. Similar to the storage modulus, the samples prepared using the SP compounding method (Fig.…”

Processing and properties of high density polyethylene/date palm fiber composites prepared by a laboratory mixing extruder

“…The melting temperature, Tm was taken as the highest/peak temperature of the DSC melting endotherm [30]. The crystallinity index of the composites can be determined from the heat of fusion (ΔHm) of DSC analysis and value of 100% of crystalline polymer material taken from the literature (ΔHm°) [31]. In which, the ΔHm° of the HDPE is approximately 292.6 J/g.…”

“…The decreasing crystallinity index by the addition of DPF was likely due to the restricted movement of the HDPE molecular chains by the presence of the, which also reduced the spaces/free volume available to be occupied by the molecular chains. Thus inhibiting the crystal growth and alignment of the crystal lattice, which consequently reduced the crystallinity index [31,33]. Figure 7.…”