Injection Molding Shrinkage and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene Blends

Polypropylene (PP) blends based on isotactic polypropylene (iPP), propylene-ethylene block copolymer (bPP), and propylene–ethylene random copolymer (rPP) were prepared by melt blending and the effects of content of bPP and rPP on the shrinkage during solidification and storage and mechanical properties of the blends were studied. It was found that the addition of polypropylene copolymer could effectively reduce the processing shrinkage of iPP and the lowest shrinkage of the blends was achieved at a loading of 2 wt% bPP or rPP. The flexural modulus and tensile strength of the blends decreased a little while the impact strength and elongation at break were improved greatly compared with those of iPP.     

Enrichment of poly(methyl methacrylate) and its graft copolymer of polybutadiene on the surface of polypropylene blends

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and its graft copolymer of polybutadiene were used as the macromolecular surface modifiers of polypropylene. The enrichment and diffusion of the modifiers onto the surface of polypropylene blends were investigated using FTIR-ATR, CDA and SEM. It has been found that the selective aggregation of the modifier component on the surface of polypropylene was mainly affected by the content, molecular weight and size of the segregated domains. Lower content and higher surface energy die were in favor of the enrichment of the additive. PMMA with higher molecular weight showed larger domain phase and lower diffusion velocity which resulted in less enrichment on the surface of PP blends.     

Mechanical Properties and Morphology of LDPE/PP Blends

Two types of polypropylene (PP) with different molecular structure, namely, homogeneous PP (PPH) and PP block‐copolymer (PPC), were blended with a long chain, branched, low density polyethylene (LDPE) in a twin screw extruder and then injection moulded into test specimens; the mechanical properties and morphology of the blends are reported. The tensile strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of the blends increased monotonically with increasing PP content, although exhibiting a slightly negative deviation from the rules of mixtures due to the relatively poor compatibility of the components, which caused the blends to separate into individual phases. Comparatively, these mechanical properties of the LDPE/PPH blend were much higher than that of the LDPE/PPC blend, which was attributable mainly to the fact that the mechanical properties of neat PPH are stronger than that of neat PPC. With respect to the impact strength of the blends, a maximum value appeared in LDPE/PPH blends when PPH content was about 20% and also in LDPE/PPC blends when PPC content was about 40%.     

Properties of Compatibilized Nylon 6/ABS Polymer Blends

Nylon 6/poly(acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene)(ABS) blends were prepared in the molten state by a twin‐screw extruder. Maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (MAP) and solid epoxy resin (bisphenol type‐A) were used as compatibilizers for these blends. The effects of compatibilizer addition to the blends were studied via tensile, torque, impact properties and morphology tests. The results showed that the additions of epoxy and MA copolymer to nylon 6/ABS blends enhanced the compatibility between nylon 6 and ABS, and this lead to improvement of mechanical properties of their blends and in a size decrease of the ABS domains.     

THERMAL BEHAVIOR OF PP/PA6 BLENDS UNDER DYNAMIC CONDITIONS. THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT INTERFACIAL AGENTS BASED ON CHEMICALLY MODIFIED ATACTIC POLYPROPYLENE

The thermal behavior in dynamic conditions of polypropylene/polyamide 6 (PP/PA6) blends with a modified interphase is discussed in terms of the crystallinities of the polypropylene and polyamide components imposed by the processing step conditions and after removal of those constraints by holding the blends 5 min in the molten state in the calorimeter. As interfacial agents, two based on succinic anhydride or succinil-fluoresceine grafted atactic polypropylenes were used. The experimental program was run following the Box-Wilson experimental design methodology. Thermal scans were made using round samples (5 mm diameter and 100 μm thick) cut from compression-molded sheets with morphologies and macroscopic behavior studied previously. Changes of the amount of crystallinity of each polymer in the modified blends are contrasted with the tensile strength values of the heterogeneous materials as a whole; evidence of the different roles played by each interfacial agent acting at the interface among blend components is shown.     

Studies on compatibilization of polypropylene/thermoplastic polyurethane blends and mechanism of compatibilization

This paper reports a study of compatibilization and the mechanism of compatibilization of polypropylene (PP)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) blends with maleated polypropylene (PP-MA) and its graft copolymer with polyethylene oxide (PEO), (PP-MA)-g-PEO. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and dynamic mechanical analysis showed that (PP-MA)-g-PEO was a very good compatibilizer for PP/TPU blends, while PP-MA also produced some compatibilization. The cocrystallization between bulk PP and PP segments of the compatibilizers was evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry studies. The specific interaction between TPU and polar parts of the compatibilizers was studied with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of a Novel Flame Retardant and Its Synergistic Effect With a Phosphapheanthrene Flame Retardant in Polypropylene/Polyethylene Vinyl Acetate Blends

A novel flame retardant (NSiB) containing nitrogen, silicon and boron was synthesized through reacting of N-(β-aminoethyl)-γ-aminopropyl trimethoxy-silane (KH-792) and boric acid. The structure of NSiB was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS). The effects of NSiB on the flame retardancy and thermal behaviors of polypropylene (PP)/polyethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) blends were investigated by limiting oxygen index value (LOI), vertical burning tests (UL-94) and thermal gravimetric analysis tests (TGA). The results showed that the flame retardancy and thermal stability of PP/EVA blends were improved with the addition of NSiB. When 7.5 wt% DOPO (phosphaphenanthrene) and 0.5 wt% NSiB were incorporated, the LOI value of the PP/EVA blends was 26.9%, and the class V-0 of UL-94 test was passed, as compared to the LOI value of 22.4% and class V-2 of UL-94 test for 8.0 wt% DOPO only and 16.7% and fail, respectively, for the PP/EVA blends alone. The char structure observed by SEM indicated that the surface of the char for the PP/EVA/7.5 wt% DOPO/0.5 wt% NSiB blends had a denser and continuous char structure when compared with that of the PP/EVA blends and PP/EVA/8.0 wt% DOPO blends. These results indicated that there was a good synergistic effect for NSiB and DOPO.     

衰减全反射傅里叶红外光谱在聚丙烯的表面改性的应用

应用衰减全反射傅里叶变换红外光谱法(ATR-FTIR)对聚丙烯共混薄膜的表面组成进行了测试.通过比尔定律的验证,确认1 103和1 733 cm-1可以分别用于含聚乙二醇和含羰基结构单元的改性剂共混体系的定量计算.利用ATR校正程序,以相应的特征峰峰面积比作为定量测定的基准,可以减少测试误差.通过工作曲线法,定量地分析了聚丙烯共混物薄膜表层中改性剂的含量.此外,利用变角全反射,通过改变入射光线的角度,可以测定不同深度的改性剂含量,剖析改性剂在PP共混薄膜的表层分布.     

The study of compatibility of polyethylene and polypropylene by using irradiated polyethylene wax

The modification of the compatibility between polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) by using irradiated PE wax (PE wax) is the purpose of this study. In this part, polymer blends based on various ratios of PE and PP were blended with 2.5% PE wax in all the blend ratios to determine the optimum ratio of the blend to be compatabilized. The influence of PE wax as a compatibilizing agent for PE and PP blend was investigated through the measurements of thermal, mechanical and morphological properties. The PP/PE blends modified by this method showed higher mechanical properties than those of the unmodified blends. Also, stress and strain of the modified blend having ratio (60/40) PP/PE blend recorded the maximum mechanical behavior. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of modified blends showed an indication of strong interfacial adhesion and a smooth continuous surface in which giving a support to the effect of irradiated PE wax as a tool for improving the compatibility.     

Characterization of commercial polybutylenes

A series of copolymers and blends based on polybutylene were characterized using ¹³C NMR and thermal analysis. Optical microscopy techniques were used to measure crystallization rates and examine their morphology, and this behavior was related to their composition. As expected, the highest melting and crystallization temperatures, and the fastest crystallization rates were obtained for the polybutylene homopolymer. Copolymerized ethylene randomly distributed along the chain, even at a level of 1%, significantly reduced the melting temperature and crystallization rate. Increasing the ethylene content to 5% results in a polybutylene which crystallizes with difficulty to produce poorly defined spherulites. Four blends based on a polybutylene containing 1% ethylene were studied. A dispersed crystalline phase could be detected in all cases. Two of the blends contained 6-7% ethylene but differed in molar mass. Their melting and crystallization behavior was similar although the spherulite growth rate for the lower molar mass material was a little higher. A second pair of blends contained 5-6% polypropylene and included a “nucleated” and a “nonnucleated” grade. Results for these suggested that the polypropylene itself was acting as a nucleating agent.     

The Effect of Benzoyl Peroxide and Divinyl Benzene on the Properties of Cross-Linked Recycled Polyolefin Blends

The effect of peroxide cross-linking on the properties and morphology of recycled polyethylene (PE)/polypropylene (PP) blends was characterized. The addition of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) decreased the melt flow rate (MFR) and increased the impact strength of the recycled polymer blends. Divinyl benzene (DVB) is often used as a cross-linking agent assistant. Compared with BPO modification, the addition of BPO together with DVB improved the cross-linking efficiency and further increased the impact strength of the recycled polymer blends. The effect of BPO content on the MFR and the mechanical properties was also studied with the DVB content fixed. However, chemical cross-linking slightly reduced the thermal stability of the polymer blends. The morphology of the modified and unmodified polymer blends showed that with the addition of BPO, with or without DVB, the compatibility of the PE/PP blends was improved, resulting in enhanced impact strength.     

Influence of surface modification of halloysite nanotubes and its localization in PP phase on mechanical and thermal properties of PP/ABS blends

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have been successfully modified using polyethyleneimine (PEI). HNTs and PEI-modified HNTs-filled 80/20 (wt/wt) polypropylene (PP)/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) blends and its nanocomposites in the presence of dual compatibilizer have been prepared by melt mixing technique. The refinement in matrix–droplet morphology, selective localization of PEI-modified HNTs, increase in crystallinity of PP phase, formation of β-form of PP crystals and improved dispersion of PEI-modified HNTs in PP phase has resulted in a remarkable improvement in tensile modulus, impact strength and thermal stability of PEI-modified HNTs-filled 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/ABS blends in presence of dual compatibilizer. The increase in tensile modulus, tensile strength and impact strength for PEI-modified HNTs-filled 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/ABS blends in presence of dual compatibilizer are 28.8, 26.6 and 38.5%, respectively.     

Influence of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) on morphology,crystallization, mechanical and thermal behaviour of PP/ABS blends and its composites in presence and absence of dual compatibilizer

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) filled 80/20 (wt/wt) polypropylene (PP)/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) blends and its composites in presence and absence of dual compatibilizer (polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA), and styrene-ethylene, butylene-styrene triblock copolymer grafted with maleic anhydrite (SEBS-g-MA)) have been prepared using twin screw extruder followed by injection moulding. Significant refinements in dispersed ABS droplets diameter and interparticle distance between dispersed ABS droplets were observed in case of HNTs filled 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/ABS blends and its composites in presence of PP-g-MA and SEBS-g-MA. This has resulted in significant enhancement in tensile and impact properties of HNTs filled 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/ABS blends and its composites in presence of PP-g-MA and SEBS-g-MA. Refinement in morphology of dispersed ABS phase results in decrease in crystallinity of HNTs filled 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/ABS blends and its composites in presence of PP-g-MA and SEBS-g-MA. In addition, HNTs act as heterogeneous nucleating agent for the growth of PP crystals, and hence crystallization rate of HNTs filled 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/ABS blends and its composites in presence and absence of PP-g-MA and SEBS-g-MA increases. Thermal stability also increases in case of HNTs filled 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/ABS blends and its composites in presence and absence of PP-g-MA and SEBS-g-MA.     

Morphology and mechanical properties of PP/HMWPE blends

Mechanical properties and morphology of blends of polypropylene (PP) with high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE) prepared by coprecipitation from xylene solution are investigated. Compared to blends of PP with commercial high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the mechanical properties of the blends of PP/HMWPE are much superior to those of PP/HDPE blends. Not only is the tensile strength stronger, but also the elongation at break is much higher than that of the PP/HDPE blends of the same composition. These differences increase with increasing HMWPE and HDPE content. Scanning electron microscopy of the fracture surface resulting from the tensile tests shows that the compatibility in PP/ HMWPE blends is much better than that in PP/HDPE blends. This is most likely attributable to the enhanced chain entanglement of HMWPE with the PP in the amorphous phase due to the lower crystallinity, owing to the high molecular weight of the HMWPE, and a much more flexible chain. The thermal behavior and spherulite morphology of both blends are also investigated.     

Adhesion in polyamide/compatibilizer/polypropylene systems

The effect of compatibilization on the adhesion, fracture toughness, morphology, and mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene (PP)/polyamide 6 (PA) blends was investigated. Maleic anhydride (MAH) functionalized poly-(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA-g-MAH) and nonreactive EVA copolymer were used as compatibilizers in binary blends. An attempt of in situ compatibilization via addition of pure maleic anhydride to PA/EVA/PP melt was also made. The blends containing maleated EVA copolymer showed more regular and finer dispersion of phases, better adhesion at the interface, and improved mechanical properties.     

Effect of Clay Addition on the Properties of Carbon Nanotubes-Filled Immiscible Polyethylene/Polypropylene Blends

The effects of organically modified clay (OMC) incorporation on the microstructure and the electrical and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/polyethylene (PE) blends filled with carbon nanotubes (CNT) were investigated. All blends were prepared by melt mixing in a batch mixer. The microstructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. In the OMC:CNT filled blends, the CNT were found to selectively localize within the PE phase, while the clay particles were observed in the PP phase. The electrical resistivity of OMC:CNT filled blends did not show any significant change as a result of the clay addition since it was localized in the CNT-free phase. On the other hand, the addition of clay degraded the blends' mechanical properties due to the poor adhesion between the OMC and the PP matrix.     

Rheological Behaviors of Polypropylene/Poly(1-butene) Blends

The rheological behaviors of polypropylene (PP)/poly(1-butene) (PB) blends with homo-polypropylene (PP₁) or impact polypropylene (PP₂), a poly(propylene-co-ethylene) as the PP component were studied. With increasing of PB resin content for both PP/PB blends, the blends showed higher G'(ω), G''(ω) and η*(ω) at low frequencies but lower values at high frequencies which implied that the processability was improved. A two-phase morphology was observed through the various rheological responses, including G'(ω)-ω terminal region curves, Cole-Cole plots and the weighted relaxation spectra with the PB contents up to 40?wt%. With the same PB content, the rheological parameters of the PP₂/PB blends were quite different from those of the PP₁/PB, which can be attributed to the stronger interaction between PB chains and the ethylene-co-propylene copolymer in PP₂. The impact strength of the PP₂/PB blends was improved dramatically over that of the PP₁/PB. The more significant toughening effect for the PP₂/PB blends can be attributed to the special responses of its rheological behaviors.     

Isothermal Crystallization and Miscibility of Isotactic Polypropylene/Poly(cis-butadiene) Rubber Blends

Isotactic polypropylene/poly(cis-butadiene) rubber (iPP/PcBR) blends were prepared by melt mixing. Isothermal crystallization and miscibility for neat iPP and blends of iPP/PcBR were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The presence of PcBR remarkably affected isothermal crystalline behaviors of iPP. An addition of PcBR caused shorter crystallization time and a faster overall crystallization rate, meaning a heterogeneous nucleation effect of PcBR upon crystallization of iPP. For the same sample, the crystallization peak was broader and the supercooling decreased as the crystallization temperature increased. The Avrami equation was suitable to describe the primary isothermal crystallization process of iPP and blends. The addition of PcBR led to an increase of values of the Avrami exponent n, which we suggest was because the blends had a stronger trend of instantaneous three-dimensional growth than neat iPP. The equilibrium melting point depression of the blends was observed, indicating that the blends were partly miscible in the melt.     

利用红外光谱成像技术研究PP/PE共混物

利用红外光谱对不同比例条件下制备的PP PE共混物进行了研究 ,通过对PP ,PE的特征吸收峰的分析 ,发现聚丙烯 (PP)特征峰峰面积与聚乙烯 (PE)特征峰峰面积的比值与PP/PE共混物的质量比之间存在较好的对应关系。利用特征吸收峰面积之比 ,借助红外成像技术对PP纤维热压在PE薄膜上制备的样品的研究得到了复合共混物的分布信息 ,发现其成像结果与偏光显微镜的结果有很好的吻合。实验研究结果表明采用红外成像技术 ,利用特征吸收峰面积之比可以进行对聚合物共混物的分相行为的研究。     

Mechanical,Thermal, and Surface Properties of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene/Polypropylene Blends

Various compositions of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/polypropylene (UHMWPE/PP) blends were prepared in decalin, with the rheological, mechanical, thermal, and surface properties of the blends being determined using the solution cast film. Viscosity and mechanical properties of the blends decreased below the additivity value with increasing PP content implying that PP molecules disturb the entanglement of UHMWPE. Contact angle of the blend films with a water drop increased with increasing content of PP. The atomic force microscope (AFM) images showed that the surface of cast UHMWPE was very smooth whereas that of cast PP was very uneven. For blends, the surface became rough and uneven with increasing content of PP. The melting temperature of PP (T _mP) decreased in the blends with increasing UHMWPE content while that of UHMWPE (T _mU) remained almost constant in blends.