Mechanical Properties of PP/clay Nanocomposites Prepared from Masterbatch: Effect of Nanoclay Loadings and Re-Processing

Abstract

PP/clay nanocomposites samples of 1st and 2nd cycles (recycle) and different nanoclay loadings (i.e. 0, 5, 10, 15 wt%) samples were made by utilizing twin-screw extruder and injection molding machine. The samples were then characterized using a tensile test machine. The tensile tests results showed that modulus of elasticity and tensile strength of the nanocomposites samples for both 1st and 2nd cycles were all higher than the neat PP, and increased with increasing nanoclay loadings. The enhancements of modulus of elasticity (as compared to the neat PP) for 1st cycle of the nanocomposites were about 38.08%, 49.33%, and 78.65% for NC-5-I, NC-10-I, and NC-15-I, respectively. Whereas, for the 2nd cycle of the nanocomposites were about 44.33%, 59.59%, and 84.69% for NC-5-II, NC-10-II, and NC-15-I, respectively. This indicated that the incorporation of nanoclay in the PP matrix significantly increased mechanical properties, especially modulus of elasticity and tensile strength of the nanocomposites. Additionally, values of modulus of elasticity and tensile strength of 1st cycle and 2nd cycle of PP/clay nanocomposites were compared by plotting them in two graphs. The plots revealed that reprocessing of the nanocomposites did not significantly influence the mechanical properties of the nancomposites.

Polypropylene/CaCO₃ Nanocomposites Fabricated Using Masterbatch: Effect of Nano-CaCO₃ Loadings and Re-Processing on the Melting Properties

“…It is because in masterbatch, the nano-filler materials are confined inside the polymer, thus easy to handle. It is also dust free and consequently has less risk on health and safety [9,10]. Additionally, masterbatch process can also improve the dispersion level of nano-filler and can effectively process highly nano-filler loaded nanocomposites [11].…”

“…Additionally, masterbatch process can also improve the dispersion level of nano-filler and can effectively process highly nano-filler loaded nanocomposites [11]. There have been several literatures that investigated about nanocomposites fabrication using masterbatch, such as PP/nanoclay [9], PP/multi-walled carbon nanotubes [10], poly(butylene succinate)/nano-cellulose [11], PLA/nanoclay [12], etc. It can be concluded that melt blending/blending using masterbatch is considered as simple and economical method to fabricate PNCs.…”

A Characteristic Study of Polylactic Acid/Organic Modified Montmorillonite (PLA/OMMT) Nanocomposite Materials after Hydrolyzing

“…The manufacture of PLS nanocomposites is called intercalation compounding, including intercalative polymerization and in-situ polymerization [28]. Intercalative polymerization can be categorized as monomer addition polymerization and monomer condensation, while in-situ polymerization can be classified into polymer solution intercalation and polymer melting intercalation.…”