Creep strain and recovery analysis of polypropylene composites filled with graphene nano filler

Abstract

Creep and Recovery of Polypropylene/Hydrothermally reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composites investigated at different temperatures to evaluate the contribution of RGO on the time-temperature -dependent performance of the polypropylene matrix. It was found that high creep strain was produced in PP nanocomposite at high temperatures. The addition of RGO sheets into PP has increased the creep resistance and recoverable response of nanocomposite significantly at high temperatures.Consequently creep strain rate of PP/RGO nanocomposite at 80 °C was decreased by 24%, 28%, and 22% than pure PP (polypropylene) when 0.2 wt% 0.5 wt% and 0.8 wt% RGO contents were added respectively in PP nanocomposite. SEM analysis displayed the uniform distribution of RGO layers in PP matrix that makes strong layers/matrix interfacial interaction to limit the mobility of polymer chains. Fabrication of two-dimension layers of RGO and nanocomposite was confirmed by XRD and FTIR.