High performance PP/SEBS/CNF composites: Evaluation of mechanical, thermal degradation, and crystallization properties

Abstract

Nanocomposites comprising carbon nanofibers (CNF) were prepared and evaluated in terms of morphology, mechanical performance, thermal stability and crystallization properties. It was found that addition of CNF reinforced polypropylene (PP) matrix by marginally increasing the strength and modulus, but at the expense of toughness and ductility. To improve the toughness of the composites, polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene‐ran‐butylene)‐block‐polystyrene (SEBS) was used. Presence of SEBS remarkably improved the toughness and ductility of the composites. The optimum level of reinforcement was observed at 0.1 wt% of CNF in the composites. Phase morphology studies revealed that at this concentration, CNF were well dispersed in polymer phases and beyond it, agglomeration occurred. PP/SEBS/CNF (0.1 wt%) nanocomposites exhibited good strength, excellent toughness and decent modulus, which make them suitable for cost effective, light‐weight, tough and stiff material for engineering applications. It was observed that thermal stability of composites is only marginally improved whereas crystallinity of PP drastically reduced by the addition of CNF. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2440–2449, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers

Effect of magnesium hydroxide as a multifunctional additive on high solar reflectance, thermal emissivity, and flame retardancy properties of PP/SEBS/oil composites

“…[ 17 ] Among other research studies, PP/SEBS blend is a good matrix in many domains, such as sports goods, automotive materials, and engineering materials for the excellent aging resistance. [ 18 ] Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH) 2 ) as a traditional flame‐retardant is widely used in polymers and engineering materials for the nontoxic and environmental‐friendly properties. [ 19,20 ] Recently, Liu et al [ 21 ] studied the surface modification Mg(OH) 2 on the flame‐retardant application of PP/SEBS matrix.…”

Antibacterial and thermomechanical properties of composites of polylactic acid modified with capsicum oleoresin‐impregnated nanoporous silica

“…Similarly, Young's modulus increases with the addition of SiCO and shows a maximum value of 1906 ± 37.3 at 0.77 wt % SiCO composite. The increase in modulus is due to the following factors: (1) the presence of high modulus SiCO particles (2) reinforcement of SiCO particles with polymer matrix, and (3) increase in the crystallinity of the PLA composites by the addition of SiCO . However, at higher concentrations of the filler, the CO may act as a plasticizer and reduces the modulus of the composites.…”

“…The increase in modulus is due to the following factors: (1) the presence of high modulus SiCO particles (2) reinforcement of SiCO particles with polymer matrix, 40 and (3) increase in the crystallinity of the PLA composites by the addition of SiCO. 41 However, at higher concentrations of the filler, the CO may act as a plasticizer and reduces the modulus of the composites. The elongation at break of neat PLA (4.9%) gradually increases and a maximum of 8.8% is observed with the addition of 3.08 wt % SiCO.…”

Fabrication and characterization of vapor grown carbon nanofiber reinforced flexible polymer composites

“…It was reported that mechanical properties were enhanced by the addition of CNFs [30]. In another study, CNF/PP/SEBS composites were fabricated; the toughness and ductility of the composites were reported to be improved [38]. In another study, Huang et al, fabricated CNF decorated flexible and super-hydrophobic polyurethane (PU)/SEBS composite nanofiber membranes.…”