Study on the Functionality of Nano-Precipitated Calcium Carbonate as Filler in Thermoplastics

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the functionality of nano-precipitated calcium carbonate (NPCC) as filler in thermoplastic resins based on property enhancement. Three types of thermoplastics were used: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The resins were evaluated by determining the effect of different NPCC loading on the chemical structure, thermal and mechanical properties of thermoplastics. Results showed that there was an interfacial bonding with the NPCC surface and the thermoplastics. Change in absorption peak and area were predominant in the PVC filled composite. There was a decreased in crystallinity of the PE and PP with the addition of filler. Tremendous increase on the tensile and impact strength was exhibited by the NPCC filled PVC composites while PE and PP composites maintained a slight increase in their mechanical properties. Nano-sized filler was proven to improve the mechanical properties of thermoplastics compared with micron-sized filler because nano-sized filler has larger interfacial area between the filler and the polymer matrix.

Effect of calcium carbonate particle size and content on polyamide 6 processing and properties

“…There is also a decreasing trend in impact strength with increasing CaCO3 content. This trend has also been observed by Basilia et al [3] with different matrices. Increased stiffness and hardness caused by filler presence may have favoured crack propagation upon impact, and composite specimen will absorb less energy than the neat polymer, causing a more brittle behaviour.…”

“…However, DSC revealed decrease in degree of crystallinity for almost all composites in relation to unfilled PA6, as shown in Table 1. Basilia et al [3] have observed similar behavior and credited it to the fact that the presence of the filler particles may hinder polymer chain packing. …”

“…Basilia et al [3] on studying the mechanical properties of PVC containing CaCO3 micro and nanoparticles found that the product maintained visual appearance similar to the neat polymer, but with superior properties, due to the high surface area of the nanoparticles. Avella et al [4] showed that CaCO3 nanoparticles (calcite and aragonite) increase the glass transition temperature of nylon 6 and depending on the polymorph this increase may be more or less pronounced.…”

Thermal stability of CaCO3/polyethylene (PE) nanocomposites

“…CaCO 3 with a few weight percentages loading in the thermoplastic polymer nanocomposites strongly effects on properties of polymers. 1 –7 The effects of addition of precipitated CaCO 3 (PCC) to thermoplastic polymers have been investigated by many researchers. The results showed that the significant improvements have been shown in thermal and mechanical properties, such as higher heat distortion temperatures, an enhancement in flame resistance, increase in modulus, stiffness, better barrier properties, enhancements of viscosity, and dimensional stability.…”

“…The results showed that the significant improvements have been shown in thermal and mechanical properties, such as higher heat distortion temperatures, an enhancement in flame resistance, increase in modulus, stiffness, better barrier properties, enhancements of viscosity, and dimensional stability. 1 –7…”