Mechanical properties polypropylene nanocomposites

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. 

Ruan W H, Zhang M Q, Rong M Z and Friedrich K (2004) Mechanical properties of nanocomposites from ball milling grafted nano-silica/polypropylene block copolymer, Polym Polym Compos 12 257-267. 

In rubber-plastic blends, clay reportedly disrupted the ordered crystallization of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and had a key role in shaping the distribution of iPP and ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) phases larger filler contents brought about smaller, less coalesced and more homogeneous rubber domains [22]. Clays, by virtue of their selective residence in the continuous phase and not in the rubber domains, exhibited a significant effect on mechanical properties by controlling the size of rubber domains in the heterophasic matrix. This resulted in nanocomposites with increased stiffness, impact strength, and thermal stability. 

Morgan, A.B. Harris, J.D. Effects of organoclay soxhlet extraction on mechanical properties, flammability properties and organoclay dispersion of polypropylene nanocomposites. Polymer 2003, 44, 2313-2320. 

Single clay layers or 100% dispersion of the clay in polymer matrices is also the ideal situation in which to obtain nanocomposite materials with enhanced mechanical properties. This was achieved by researchers at the Pennsylvania State University ° with a semifluorinated organic surfactant to modify the montmorillonite, which is subsequently compounded with polypropylene (functionalized with, e.g., maleic anhydride). In The Netherlands the clay is intercalated with polyethyl-... 

Wahit, M.U. Rubber toughened polyamide 6/polypropylene nanocomposites Mechanical, thermal and morphologieal properties. Ph.D. thesis. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai (2006)... 

D. Eiras, L.A. Pessan, Mechanical properties of polypropylene/calcium carbonate nanocomposites. Mater. Res. 12, 517-522 (2009)... 

Polypropylene nanocomposites are remarkable for their better mechanical properties, such as high tensile strength and modulus, and for their dimensional stability. They have a wide range of applications in the automotive sector [7-11]. The PP composites are used in automotive industry as battery supports, instmment panel carriers, body panel reinforcements, front-end modulus, underbody aerodynamic covers, electronic boxes, pedals and their supports, door panels and door modules, bumper beams, fender extensions, wheel covers, hub caps, and trim rings for wheels (Fig. 11.4). 

Kim, S.J. Moon, J.B. Kim, G.H. Ha, C.S. (2008). Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Natural Fiber Composites Comparison of Wood Fiber and Cotton Fiber. Polymer Testing, Vol.27, No. 7, (October 2008), pp. 801-806, ISSN 0142-9418 Kotek, J. Kelnar, L Studenovsky, M. Baldrian J. (2005). Chlorosulfonated polypropylene preparation and its application as a coupling agent in polypropylene-clay nanocomposites. Polymer, Vol. 46, No. 16, (June 2005), pp. 4876-4881, ISSN 0032-3861... 

Mechanical properties of PP/PPy nanocomposites were investigated by tensile tests. The effect of loading different amounts of polypyrrole nanopartides into thermoplastic polypropylene matrix and the changes in mechanical properties produced by incorporation of polypyrrole nanopartides were examined. In order to understand the effect of using sodium dodecylsulphate as dispersant in PP/PPy nanocomposites, identical tests were performed also for the nanocomposites prepared with dispersant. 

Polypropylene (PP) is widely used for many applications due to its low cost, low density, high thermal stability and resistance to corrosion. Blending polypropylene with clays to form nanocomposites is a way to increase its utility by improving its mechanical properties. 

Yang, K. Yang Q. (2006). Morphology and mechanical properties of polypropylene/calcium carbonate nanocomposites. Materials Letters, Vol. 60, p>p. (805-809)... 

Bhattacharyya, A Sreekumar, T. liu, T. Kumar, S. Ericson, L. Hauge, H. Smalley, R. (2003) Crystallization and Orientation Studies in Polypropylene/Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Composite. Polym. Vol.44, N0.8, pp.2373-2377, ISSN 0032-3861 Bilotti, E. Fischer, H. Peijs, T. (2008) Polymer nanocomposites based on needle-like sepiolite clays Effect of functionalized polymers on the dispersion of nanofiller, crystallinity, and mechanical properties, f. Appl. Polym. Sci. Vol.107, No.2 pp.lll6-1123, ISSN 0021-8995... 

Koo, J. (2006) Polymer Nanocomposites Processing, Characterization, and Applications. McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0071458212,9780071458214, New York Koval chuk, A. Shevchenko, V. Shchegolikhin, A. Nedorezoca, P. Klyamkina, A. Aladyshev, A. (2008) Effect of carbon nanotube functionalization on the structural and mechanical properties of polypropylene/MWCNT composites. Macromol. Vol.41, No.20, pp.7536-7542... 

Prashantha, K Soulestin, J. Lacrampe, M. Krawczak, P. Dupin, G. Claes, M. (2009) Masterbatch-Based Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Filled Polypropylene Nanocomposites Assessment of Rheological and Mechanical Properties. Compos. Sci Technol. Vol.69, No.11-12, p>p.l756-1763... 

B. Yuan, C. Bao, L. Song, N. Hong, K.M. Liew, and Y. Hu, Preparation of functionahzed graphene oxide/polypropylene nanocomposite with significantly improved thermal stability and studies on the crystalfization behavior and mechanical properties. Chemical Engineering Journal, 237,411-420, 2014. 

Oya, A., Kurokawa, Y, and Yasuda, H. 2000. Factors controlling mechanical properties of clay mineral/polypropylene nanocomposites. Journal of Materials Science 35 1045-1050. 

Ellis, T. S. and D Angelo, J. S. 2003. Thermal and mechanical properties of a polypropylene nanocomposite. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 90 1639-1647. 

Xiaoyan, M., Guozheng, L., Haijun, L., Hailin, L., and Yun, H. 2005. Novel intercalated nanocomposites of polypropylene, organic rectorite, and poly(ethylene octene) elastomer Morphology and mechanical properties. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 97 1907-1914. 

Lim, J. W., Hassan, A., Rahmat, A. R., and Wahit, M. U. 2006. Rubber-toughened polypropylene nanocomposite Effect of polyethylene octene copolymer on mechanical properties and phase morphology. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 99 3441-3450. 

Mittal, V. 2007. Polypropylene-layered silicate nanocomposites Filler matrix interactions and mechanical properties. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials 20 575-599. 

Keener, B. D., Hudson, S. D., Li, Y, Moran, I. W., Phongphour, C., and Sirivat, A. 2005. Preparation, morphology, mechanical properties and fracture resistance of nanocomposites comprising montmorillonite and polypropylene. Material Research Innovations 9 559-576. 

Peltola, R, Walipakka, E., Vuorinen, J., Syrjiila, S., and Hanhi, K. 2006. Effect of rotation speed of twin screw extruder on the microstructure and rheological and mechanical properties of nanoclay-reinforces polypropylene nanocomposites. 

Parija, S., Nayak, S. K., Verma, S. K., and Tripathy, S. S. 2004. Studies on physico-mechanical properties and thermal characteristics of polypropylene/layered silicate nanocomposites. Polymer Composites 25 646-652. 

Kim, D. H., Fasulo, P. D., Rodgers, W. R, and Paul, D. R. 2007. Effect of the ratio of maleated polypropylene to organoclay on the structure and properties of TPO-based nanocomposites. Part I Morphology and mechanical properties. Polymer 48 5960-5978. 

Rahmatpour, A. and Aalaie, J. 2008. Steady shear rheological behavior, mechanical properties, and morphology of the polypropylene/carbon nanotube nanocomposites. Macromolecular Science. Part B Physics 47 929-941. 

Prashantha, K., Soulestin, J., Lacrampe, M. R, Claes, M., Dupin, G., and Krawczak, P. 2008. Multi-walled carbon nanotube filled polypropylene nanocomposites based on masterbatch route Improvement of dispersion and mechanical properties through PP-g-MA addition. Express Polymer Letters 2 735-745. 

---