Polypropylene mechanical properties

Some polymers show discoloration as well as reduction of the mechanical properties (e.g. aromatic polyesters, aromatic polyamides, polycarbonate, polyurethanes, poly (phenylene oxide, polysulphone), others show only a deterioration of the mechanical properties (polypropylene, cotton) or mainly yellowing (wool, poly(vinyl chloride)). This degradation may be less pronounced when an ultraviolet absorber is incorporated into the polymer. The role of the UV-absorbers (usually o-hydroxybenzophenones or o-hydroxyphenylbenzotriazoles) is to absorb the radiation in the 300-400 nm region and dissipate the energy in a manner harmless to the material to be protected. UV-protection of polymers can be well achieved by the use of additives (e.g. nickel chelates) that, by a transfer of excitation energy, are capable of quenching electronically excited states of impurities (e.g. carbonyl groups) present in the polymer (e.g. polypropylene). 

Among the many potential applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), their use as reinforcing fillers for fhe fabrication of polymer nanocomposites has received considerable attention [1-4]. Both single-walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs and MWCNTs, respectively) are noted for their outstanding thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties. Polypropylene (PP) is a widely used thermoplastic because of its low cost, good processability, and well-balanced physical and mechanical properties. Products of PP take the forms of fibers, films, and molded articles. This chapter highlights the microstructure and properties of PP/CNT nanocomposites. Since most studies dealt with isotactic polypropylene, the term TP" in this chapter refers to isotactic polypropylene unless otherwise stated. 

Keywords filler, rice husk ash, mechanical properties, polypropylene, silane coupling agent. 

Polypropylene molecules repeatedly fold upon themselves to form lamellae, the sizes of which ate a function of the crystallisa tion conditions. Higher degrees of order are obtained upon formation of crystalline aggregates, or spheruHtes. The presence of a central crystallisation nucleus from which the lamellae radiate is clearly evident in these stmctures. Observations using cross-polarized light illustrates the characteristic Maltese cross model (Fig. 2b). The optical and mechanical properties ate a function of the size and number of spheruHtes and can be modified by nucleating agents. Crystallinity can also be inferred from thermal analysis (28) and density measurements (29). 

Film manufacture also requires special considerations in the case of polypropylene in order to ensure small crystal structures and hence high clarity. Chill-roll casting processes may be used and these give films of high clarity and minimal thickness variations at high rates of production. Blown film processes can, however, give superior mechanical properties and in addition equipment costs are lower, and in consequence the process is more economic for lower tonnage production. 

Godail, L. and Packham, D.E., Adhesion of ethylene-octene copolymers to polypropylene interfacial structure and mechanical properties. J. Adhes. Sci. Technol., 15, 1285-1304 (2001). 

Polyethylene and polypropylene are semitransparent plastics made by polymerization. They are produced from ethylene and propylene in a variety of grades. Their mechanical properties are determined mainly by density (degree of crystallinity) and molecular weight, characterized by the Melt Index (MI). 

Structural foam mouldings may also include fibres to enhance further the mechanical properties of the material. Typical performance data for foamed polypropylene relative to other materials is given in Table 1.1. 

Many modifications in metallocene structures have been incorporated, as shown in Fig. 9, to synthesize isotactic polypropylene with a range of properties including molecular weight, isotacticity, mechanical properties, etc. 

Metallocene isotactic polypropylenes (MET.PP) are accessible with different melting points under the commercial range of melt flow rate (Fig. 11). The variation of melting points in these polymers is linked with the presence of different lengths of isotactic sequences. Mechanical properties of polypropylene... 

The reactive extrusion of polypropylene-natural rubber blends in the presence of a peroxide (1,3-bis(/-butyl per-oxy benzene) and a coagent (trimethylol propane triacrylate) was reported by Yoon et al. [64]. The effect of the concentration of the peroxide and the coagent was evaiuated in terms of thermal, morphological, melt, and mechanical properties. The low shear viscosity of the blends increased with the increase in peroxide content initially, and beyond 0.02 phr the viscosity decreased with peroxide content (Fig. 9). The melt viscosity increased with coagent concentration at a fixed peroxide content. The morphology of the samples indicated a decrease in domain size of the dispersed NR phase with a lower content of the peroxide, while at a higher content the domain size increases. The reduction in domain size... 

Electric discharge methods are known [31] to be very effective for nonactive polymer substrates such as polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. They are successfully used for cellulose-fiber modification to decrease the melt viscosity of cellulose-polyethylene composites [32] and to improve the mechanical properties of cellulose-polypropylene composites [28]. 

The surface energy of fibers is closely related to the hydrophilicity of the fiber [38]. Some investigations are concerned with methods to decrease hydrophilicity. The modification, of wood cellulose fibers with stearic acid [43] hydrophobizes those fibers and improves their dispersion in polypropylene. As can be observed in jute-reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composites, treatment with polyvinylacetate increases the mechanical properties [24] and moisture repellency. 

The isotactic form of propylene has better physical and mechanical properties than the three tactic form mixture (obtained from free radical polymerization). Isotactic polypropylene, in which all of the stereo cen-... 

Currently, all commercially available, spirally wound lithium-ion cells use microporous polyolefin separators. In particular, separators are made from polyethylene, polypropylene, or some combination of the two. Polyolefins provide excellent mechanical properties and chemical stability at a reasonable cost. A number of manufacturers produce microporous polyolefin separators (Table 1.)... 

Table 3-1 gives typical mechanical property data for four materials, the exact values of which are unimportant for this discussion. Aluminum and mild steel have been used as representative metals and polypropylene (PP) and glass fiber-TS polyester reinforced plastics (GRP) as representative plastics. Higher-performance types could have been selected for both the metals and plastics, but those in this table offer a fair comparison for the explanation being presented. 

Chattopadhyay S., Chaki T.K., and Bhowmick A.K., New thermoplastic elastomers from poly(ethyle-neoctene) (engage), poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) and low-density polyethylene by electron beam technology structural characterization and mechanical properties. Rubber Chem. TechnoL, 74, 815, 2001. Roy Choudhury N. and Dutta N.K., Thermoplastic elastomeric natural rubber-polypropylene blends with reference to interaction between the components. Advances in Polymer Blends and Alloys Technology, Vol. 5 (K. Finlayson, ed.), Technomic Publishers, Pensylvania, 1994, 161. 

Roy Choudhury N. and Bhowmick A.K., Adhesion between individual components and mechanical properties of natural rubber-polypropylene thermoplastic elastomeric blends, J. Adhes. Sci. Technol., 2(3), 167, 1988. 

Phadke, A.A. and De, S.K., Effect of cryo-ground rubber on melt flow and mechanical properties of polypropylene, Polym. Eng. Sci., 26, 1079, 1986. 

Phinyocheep, P., Axteb, F.H., and Laosee, T., Influence of compatibibzers on mechanical properties, crystallization, and morphology of polypropylene/scrap rubber dust blends, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 86, 148, 2002. 

Al-Malaika, S. and Amir, E.J., Thermoplastic elastomers Part III—Ageing and mechanical properties of natural rubber-reclaimed rubber/polypropylene systems and their role as solid phase dispersants in polypropylene/polyethylene blends, Polym. Degrad. Stab., 26, 31, 1989. 

Stretching a polymer in two perpendicular directions, either successively or by blowing a bubble of molten material, leads to its biaxial orientation, which strongly improves mechanical properties in the stretching directions and/or gas permeability (e.g., biaxial orientation of polypropylene leads to BOPP (for biaxially oriented polypropylene) or biaxial orientation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) gives CC>2-impermeable bottles for carbonated beverages.) (Characterisation methods for determining molecular orientation are considered in Chapter 8.)... 

Oilfields in the North Sea provide some of the harshest environments for polymers, coupled with a requirement for reliability. Many environmental tests have therefore been performed to demonstrate the fitness-for-purpose of the materials and the products before they are put into service. Of recent examples [33-35], a complete test rig has been set up to test 250-300 mm diameter pipes, made of steel with a polypropylene jacket for thermal insulation and corrosion protection, with a design temperature of 140 °C, internal pressures of up to 50 MPa (500 bar) and a water depth of 350 m (external pressure 3.5 MPa or 35 bar). In the test rig the oil filled pipes are maintained at 140 °C in constantly renewed sea water at a pressure of 30 bar. Tests last for 3 years and after 2 years there have been no significant changes in melt flow index or mechanical properties. A separate programme was established for the selection of materials for the internal sheath of pipelines, whose purpose is to contain the oil and protect the main steel armour windings. Environmental ageing was performed first (immersion in oil, sea water and acid) and followed by mechanical tests as well as specialised tests (rapid gas decompression, methane permeability) related to the application. Creep was measured separately. 

Connectors, switches, electric distributors, fuse boxes and other electric fittings need a subtle balance of electrical and mechanical properties, durability, cost and aesthetics. This broad field creates fierce competition not only between engineering thermoplastics and SMC/BMC for the main applications but also with polypropylene and polyethylene or PVC for the lower performance parts and, at the opposite end of the scale, with high-tech plastics such as polyetherketone, polyetherimide, liquid crystal polymers. .. For example, without claiming to be exhaustive ... 

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