Dynamic mechanical properties of nanoclay filled TPU/PP blends with compatibiliser

Abstract

Blends of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polypropylene (PP) are highly incompatible because of large differences in polarities and high interfacial tensions. On one hand, PP is added to TPU to improve TPU's thermal stability, chemical properties, mechanical properties (modulus, strength and hardness) and processing performance and to reduce TPU's cost. On the other hand, TPU is blended with PP to improve PP's properties (e.g. abrasion, flexibility, tear strength, shock absorbing capabilities, impact strength, adhesion and paintability/printability). Earlier works in polyurethane/organoclay nanocomposites, PP/organoclay nanocomposites and TPU/PP blends were studied. In our experimental work, both ester and ether based TPU nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending using 3 wt-% Cloisite 10A (organically modified montmorillonite clay) as the nanoscale reinforcement and blended with PP with/without PP-graft-maleic anhydride as the compatibiliser. Blends of nanoclay filled TPU/PP were evaluated for dynamic mechanical properties such as storage modulus E′, loss modulus E″ and dissipation factor tanδ.