Abstract
Isotactic polypropylene (PP) composite drawn fibers were prepared using melt extrusion and high-temperature solid-state drawing at a draw ratio of 7. Five different fillers were used as reinforcement agents (microtalc, ultrafine talc, wollastonite, attapulgite and single-wall carbon nanotubes). In all the prepared samples, antioxidant was added, while all samples were prepared with and without using PP grafted with maleic anhydride as compatibilizer. Material characterization was performed by tensile tests, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Attapulgite composite fibers exhibited poor results in terms of tensile strength and thermal stability. The use of ultrafine talc particles yields better results, in terms of thermal stability and tensile strength, compared to microtalc. Better results were observed using needle-like fillers, such as wollastonite and single-wall carbon nanotubes, since, as was previously observed, high aspect ratio particles tend to align during the drawing process and, thus, contribute to a more symmetrical distribution of stresses. Competitive and synergistic effects were recognized to occur among the additives and fillers, such as the antioxidant effect being enhanced by the addition of the compatibilizer, while the antioxidant itself acts as a compatibilizing agent.
Highlights
Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most common thermoplastics with attractive properties, such as low density, high thermal stability, chemical resistance and capability of being processed with various methods
In order to evaluate the potential decomposition of the used raw materials during the thermal treatment and to facilitate the discussion presented isothermal
Various PP composite drawn fibers were prepared by melt extrusion and high4
Summary
Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most common thermoplastics with attractive properties, such as low density, high thermal stability, chemical resistance and capability of being processed with various methods. A common approach for improving mechanical and thermal properties of polymeric materials is the development of polymer composite structures through the addition of various, mainly inorganic, particles, as reinforcement agents, in the polymer matrix. Since the mechanical properties of PP are significantly enhanced with drawing, further increase by the use of fillers in nanocomposite drawn fibers is a rather difficult task and less studied compared to PP non-drawn composites. Fillers with needle-like structures, which might align in the drawing direction [30], are interesting candidates for the development of composite drawn fibers. The use of compatibilizers along with other additives, e.g., antioxidants, coloring substances, lubricants, etc., is a common and essential industrial practice Interactions of such other additives with compatibilizers and the used fillers are usually not extensively studied, they may significantly alter the properties of the final polymer matrix.
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