Dispersion, thermal and mechanical properties of polypropylene/magnesium hydroxide nanocomposites compatibilized by SEBS- g-MA

• Published in: Composites science and technology 2009-09, Vol.69 (11), p.1873-1879
• Main Authors: Liu, Sheng-Peng, Ying, Ji-Ru, Zhou, Xing-Ping, Xie, Xiao-Lin, Mai, Yiu-Wing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A. Magnesium hydroxide; A. Particle-reinforced composites; Applied sciences; B. Mechanical properties; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0266-3538; 1879-1050
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2009.04.004

Isotactic polypropylene (PP)/nano-magnesium hydroxide (nano-MH) composites with 10 wt.% maleic anhydride grafted styrene–ethylene-butylene–styrene tri-block copolymer (SEBS- g-MA) as a compatilizer were prepared by melt extrusion compounding and injection molding. The effects of SEBS- g-MA on dispersion of nano-MHs in PP matrix and interfacial adhesion were studied in order to prepare highly filled PP/MH nanocomposites. The results showed that SEBS- g-MA improved both dispersion of nano-MHs and interfacial adhesion in PP/MH nanocomposites with up to 40 wt.% nano-MHs. The elastic moduli of PP/SEBS- g-MA /MH nanocomposites increased marginally and tensile yield strengths were almost invariant with nano-MH loading. Significant impact toughening of these ternary nanocomposites was, however, achieved due to the cavitation of SEBS- g-MA/MH particles and expansion of voids as well as plastic deformation of the PP matrix.