Effect of compounding method on the mechanical properties of polypropylene-clay nanocomposites

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of direct melt compounding, masterbatch dilution and compatibilizer addition on the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of organoclay nanocomposites. Nanoclay reinforced polypropylene composites manufactured using melt mixing with and without adding polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA). These composites were compared with nanoclay reinforced polypropylene materials with similar compounds diluted from commercial masterbatches. All compounded materials were prepared at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 wt% nanoclay. Series of tensile, flexural, and impact tests were conducted to evaluate mechanical properties. © 2010 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.