Study of the effects of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes on mechanical performance and thermal stability of polypropylene

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been added to polypropylene (PP) matrix to improve the overall performance of composites. The mixing process has been carried out by melt compounding using a twin screw co‐rotating extruder with different CNTs amounts in the 0.5–10 wt% from a concentrated PP‐CNTs masterbatch (20 wt% CNTs). Results show a remarkable increase in tensile strength and elastic modulus while a decrease in elongation at break is detected. With regard to thermal behavior, a remarkable increase in thermal stability at high temperatures (decomposition process studied by thermogravimetric analysis) is obtained as the CNTs amount increases. In addition to this improvement, a noticeable increase in thermal stability at medium temperatures (degradation onset determined by differential scanning calorimetry, DSC) is also observed. In a similar way, other property related to thermal and mechanical performance, such as Vicat softening temperature (VST) is improved with CNTs content. The optimum balance between cost and properties seems to be in the 1–3 wt% range. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers

Electrically conductive multi‐walled carbon nanotube‐reinforced amorphous polyamide nanocomposites

“…Moreover, thermal degradation temperatures were higher for the NCs in all the ranges studied. This is consistent with previous results . Table shows the T 10% and T max of the NCs as well as the corresponding increases in relation to the values of the matrix.…”

Thermal and electrical conductivity of melt mixed polycarbonate hybrid composites co‐filled with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets

“…Figure with results of Vicat softening temperature (VST) of the selected nanocomposites shows a parameter behavior strongly dependent on the presence of carbon nanotubes. Usually a VST increase with the nanofiller load is reported in the literature, similar to the pattern of the nanocomposite with 0.0 wt % MWCNT. An optimal load below 3.0 wt % nanofiller is reported to show the best Vicat temperature improvement for various nanofillers, which is in agreement with the findings present here .…”

“…Usually a VST increase with the nanofiller load is reported in the literature, similar to the pattern of the nanocomposite with 0.0 wt % MWCNT. An optimal load below 3.0 wt % nanofiller is reported to show the best Vicat temperature improvement for various nanofillers, which is in agreement with the findings present here . Independently on the shape of the nanofiller, polymers exhibit an increase of the softening temperature at elevated weight fractions for one‐dimensional (1D) carbon nanotubes and 2D nanoclay .…”

Multifunctionalized Carbon Nanotubes Polymer Composites: Properties and Applications

“…For example, pullout process proposes that effective load transfer arises from the polymer matrix to the outer layer of CNTs, caused by the sturdy covalent bonding within its interfacial region (Shi et al 2009). This observation anticipated that the efficiency of property improvement relies on the form of CNTs, processing technique, and compatibility between CNTs and polymeric matrix (Pascual et al 2012). Additionally, the modulus and strength of composites mainly traded for high fracture toughness.…”

“…Surface properties of CNTs induce chemical interactions between CNTs and polypropylene, which in turn improve the mechanical behaviour of the composites (Girei et al 2012;Pascual et al 2012;Kim et al 2013a, b, c). With that in mind, the interface between CNTs and polypropylene was simulated using contact elements.…”