Micromechanical Mechanisms for Toughness Enhancement in β-Modified Polypropylene

Two samples of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) representing the crystalline α‐ and β‐modifications are compared with regard to their semicrystalline morphology and the resulting micromechanical mechanisms. Processes at room temperature (23°C) and at −40°C have been investigated by means of different m...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Macromolecular symposia. 2004-08, Vol.214 (1), p.157-172
Main Authors: Henning, Sven, Adhikari, Rameshwar, Michler, Georg H., Calleja, Francisco J. Baltá, Karger-Kocsis, József
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
deformation behaviour
electron microscopy
microhardness
nanostructure
polypropylene
semicrystalline polymers
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Two samples of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) representing the crystalline α‐ and β‐modifications are compared with regard to their semicrystalline morphology and the resulting micromechanical mechanisms. Processes at room temperature (23°C) and at −40°C have been investigated by means of different microscopic techniques. Good results can be achieved by the application of a chemical etching technique to the deformed samples prior to scanning electron microscopy inspection. The toughness enhancement that is measured for the β‐iPP is attributed to micromechanical mechanisms initiated within the intercrystalline, amorphous phase. It is shown that the specific nanostructure (lamellar arrangement) causes significant changes in the mechanical behaviour of the materials.
ISSN:1022-1360
1521-3900
DOI:10.1002/masy.200451012