Comparative study for the talc and two kinds of moroccan clay as reinforcements in polypropylene-SEBS-g-MA matrix

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP) or modified PP is one of the most commonly used synthetic polymers for the development of materials in construction, automotive, packaging, and other applications. However, improvements of inherent mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties are required to transfer its potential into reality. In this context, some comparative study with talc and Moroccan clay were performed to improve the inherent properties of modified PP i.e., PP-SEBS-g-MA matrix composite of PP-SEBS-g-MA with different loadings of talc and Moroccan clays. All the composites samples were prepared by melt mixing method. Thermal and Mechanical properties of the composite sample were higher than unreinforced samples. Improvement of crystalinity, thermal stability, and rigidity was observed in the composite samples due to incorporation of the filler. Highest young modulus was observed in case of talc filled PP composites. It's observed from Tsai-pagano model results that the young's modulus of talc still higher than that of both clay particles, but using the density of fillers, the results in terms of specific properties shown that the specific rigidity is comparable. In summary, it was examined the ability of Moroccan clay particles, as an alternative filler for PP composite compared with the traditional commercial reinforcements such as talc and mineral calcium carbonate. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:675–684, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers