Study of PET/PP/TiO₂ microfibrillar‐structured composites, Part 2: Morphology and mechanical properties

Abstract

in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com).ABSTRACT: Uncompatibilized and compatibilized (polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride as compatibilizer) polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polypropylene (PP)/TiO 2 microfibrillar composites (MFC) were prepared by injection molding of the pelletized PET/PP/TiO 2 drawn strands. The morphology of PET fibrils and the distribution of TiO 2 particles in the composites were examined. After injection molding the preferential location of TiO 2 particles is still preserved. Because of the reinforcement effect of PET fibrils, the tensile properties and impact strength of the PET/PP MFC are improved compared with the pure PP. Incorporation of TiO 2 particles results in decrease of both tensile strength and impact strength of the composites. However, the compatibilized PET/PP/ TiO 2 MFC demonstrate better mechanical properties compared with the uncompatibilized ones. DMA analysis shows that the glass transition temperature (T g ) of PET in the uncompatibilized PET/PP/TiO 2 MFC and the T g of PP in the compatibilized PET/PP/TiO 2 MFC are elevated by about 2 C. The elevation of T g is attributed to the preferential location of TiO 2 particles in the composites.

Polyethylene terephthalate/low density polyethylene/titanium dioxide blend nanocomposites: Morphology, crystallinity, rheology, and transport properties

“…In the literature, the effect of adding TiO 2 on the morphology of a PET/PP blend (rich in PP) has been studied . As reported by Li et al ., in the case of the PET/PP binary blends the particles locate in the PET droplets . For TiO 2 nanoparticles treated with polyalcohol, Li et al .…”

“…The authors state that particles tend to migrate from PP phase to PET phase, which is more thermodynamically favored for TiO 2 . Regarding the rheological properties, the results corresponding to the viscosity ratio of the different polymer phases has been studied to explain the morphological changes analyzing the effect of the presence of TiO 2 in the viscosity of PP or PET . Notwithstanding these interesting outcomes, there is still a considerable lack of knowledge on other relevant physicochemical properties, such as thermal properties, linear rheology, rheology under shear flow, and transport properties of PET/polyolefins containing TiO 2 .…”

Antagonistic effects on mechanical properties of microfibrillar composites with dual reinforcement: Explanation by FEA model of soft interface

“…Some limitations arising from the inherently worse parameters of polymer fibers, especially stiffness and thermal resistance, could be eliminated by the addition of suitable nanofillers (NFs) . Surprisingly, in contrast to traditional nanocomposites, the upgrading of MFCs using NFs was unsuccessful in many cases . The worsening of mechanical properties found by other authors in analogous undrawn multicomponent‐matrix nanocomposites has not yet been explained.…”

“…[5][6][7][8] Surprisingly, in contrast to traditional nanocomposites, the upgrading of MFCs using NFs was unsuccessful in many cases. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The worsening of mechanical properties found by other authors in analogous undrawn multicomponent-matrix nanocomposites 12 has not yet been explained. The reason is the complex function of NFs that may lead even to antagonistic effects and thus decreased mechanical parameters.…”

Influence of vibrations on interface delamination in metal–polymer composites

“…Several theoretical and experimental studies have been carried out to determine the corresponding natural frequencies and modes of vibration in plates 11–17. For the correct prediction of the behavior of the system at resonance, it is necessary to know the different structural parameters of the system under study 18–22. If these parameters are not known, the application of experimental methods is necessary.…”