Development of layered silicates montmorillonite filled rubber-toughened polypropylene nanocomposites (RTPPNC)

Polypropylene is an outstanding thermoplastic with respect to its attractive combination of low cost and extraordinary versatility in terms of properties and applications. However, the increasing demand of polypropylene for various applications requires greatly improved physical and mechanical prope...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Main Author:	Lim, Jian Wei
Format:	Thesis
Language:	English
Published:	2006
Subjects:	TP Chemical technology
Online Access:	http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/5428/1/LimJianWeiMFKKKSA2006.pdf
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

id	my-utm-ep.5428
record_format	uketd_dc
spelling	my-utm-ep.54282018-03-07T21:00:44Z Development of layered silicates montmorillonite filled rubber-toughened polypropylene nanocomposites (RTPPNC) 2006-02 Lim, Jian Wei TP Chemical technology Polypropylene is an outstanding thermoplastic with respect to its attractive combination of low cost and extraordinary versatility in terms of properties and applications. However, the increasing demand of polypropylene for various applications requires greatly improved physical and mechanical properties. Recently, the addition of nanoscopic fillers of high anisotropy instead of conventional reinforcing agents renders the polymer/nanoclay nanocomposites to exhibit interesting structure-property relationships and promising application perspectives. However, the low temperature impact properties polypropylene nanocomposites limit some of its application. In order to achieve improved impact properties, impact modifiers polyethylene octene known as polyolefin elastomer have been added to toughen the polypropylene nanocomposites. Rubber toughened polypropylene nanocomposites containing difference content of organoclay and polyethylene octene were compounded in a twin-screw extruder. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were determined on injection-molded specimens in tensile, flexural and impact tests. From the tensile and flexural tests, the optimum loading of organoclay in nanocomposites was found to be 6 wt%. Maleic anhydride modified polypropylene was used as compatibilizer to mediate the polarity between the clay surface and PP. The modulus and strength of polypropylene nanocomposites were improved in the presence of polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride and achieved optimum modulus and strength at a compatibilizer content of 6wt% for the blend. The morphology of the nanocomposites was studied by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. X-ray diffraction results showed the formation of nanocomposites as the organoclay was intercalated by polypropylene macromolecules. Incorporation of polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride could improve the degree of intercalation and hence resulting in better dispersion in the polypropylene matrix. Izod impact tests indicated that the polyethylene octene and maleated polyethylene octene were very effective in converting brittle polypropylene nanocomposites into tough nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy study revealed a two-phase morphology which was clearly visible for all systems and the droplets of elastomer dispersed uniformly within the blends. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that thermal stability of nanocomposites significant increased with the incorporation of small amounts of organoclay in a platelet form. The essential work of fracture was used to evaluate the fracture toughness of the rubber toughened polypropylene nanocomposites. Essential work of fracture measurements indicated that the specific essential work of fracture decreased with increasing organoclay content. However, additions of polyethylene octene and maleated polyethylene octene are beneficial in enhancing the specific essential work of fracture of the polypropylene nanocomposites. 2006-02 Thesis http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/5428/ http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/5428/1/LimJianWeiMFKKKSA2006.pdf application/pdf en public masters Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Faculty of Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering Faculty of Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering
institution	Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
collection	UTM Institutional Repository
language	English
topic	TP Chemical technology
spellingShingle	TP Chemical technology Lim, Jian Wei Development of layered silicates montmorillonite filled rubber-toughened polypropylene nanocomposites (RTPPNC)
description	Polypropylene is an outstanding thermoplastic with respect to its attractive combination of low cost and extraordinary versatility in terms of properties and applications. However, the increasing demand of polypropylene for various applications requires greatly improved physical and mechanical properties. Recently, the addition of nanoscopic fillers of high anisotropy instead of conventional reinforcing agents renders the polymer/nanoclay nanocomposites to exhibit interesting structure-property relationships and promising application perspectives. However, the low temperature impact properties polypropylene nanocomposites limit some of its application. In order to achieve improved impact properties, impact modifiers polyethylene octene known as polyolefin elastomer have been added to toughen the polypropylene nanocomposites. Rubber toughened polypropylene nanocomposites containing difference content of organoclay and polyethylene octene were compounded in a twin-screw extruder. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were determined on injection-molded specimens in tensile, flexural and impact tests. From the tensile and flexural tests, the optimum loading of organoclay in nanocomposites was found to be 6 wt%. Maleic anhydride modified polypropylene was used as compatibilizer to mediate the polarity between the clay surface and PP. The modulus and strength of polypropylene nanocomposites were improved in the presence of polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride and achieved optimum modulus and strength at a compatibilizer content of 6wt% for the blend. The morphology of the nanocomposites was studied by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. X-ray diffraction results showed the formation of nanocomposites as the organoclay was intercalated by polypropylene macromolecules. Incorporation of polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride could improve the degree of intercalation and hence resulting in better dispersion in the polypropylene matrix. Izod impact tests indicated that the polyethylene octene and maleated polyethylene octene were very effective in converting brittle polypropylene nanocomposites into tough nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy study revealed a two-phase morphology which was clearly visible for all systems and the droplets of elastomer dispersed uniformly within the blends. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that thermal stability of nanocomposites significant increased with the incorporation of small amounts of organoclay in a platelet form. The essential work of fracture was used to evaluate the fracture toughness of the rubber toughened polypropylene nanocomposites. Essential work of fracture measurements indicated that the specific essential work of fracture decreased with increasing organoclay content. However, additions of polyethylene octene and maleated polyethylene octene are beneficial in enhancing the specific essential work of fracture of the polypropylene nanocomposites.
format	Thesis
qualification_level	Master's degree
author	Lim, Jian Wei
author_facet	Lim, Jian Wei
author_sort	Lim, Jian Wei
title	Development of layered silicates montmorillonite filled rubber-toughened polypropylene nanocomposites (RTPPNC)
title_short	Development of layered silicates montmorillonite filled rubber-toughened polypropylene nanocomposites (RTPPNC)
title_full	Development of layered silicates montmorillonite filled rubber-toughened polypropylene nanocomposites (RTPPNC)
title_fullStr	Development of layered silicates montmorillonite filled rubber-toughened polypropylene nanocomposites (RTPPNC)
title_full_unstemmed	Development of layered silicates montmorillonite filled rubber-toughened polypropylene nanocomposites (RTPPNC)
title_sort	development of layered silicates montmorillonite filled rubber-toughened polypropylene nanocomposites (rtppnc)
granting_institution	Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Faculty of Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering
granting_department	Faculty of Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering
publishDate	2006
url	http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/5428/1/LimJianWeiMFKKKSA2006.pdf
_version_	1747814591083053056

Development of layered silicates montmorillonite filled rubber-toughened polypropylene nanocomposites (RTPPNC)

Similar Items