In-situ microfibrillar PP–PA6 composites: rheological, morphological and mechanical properties

Abstract

In this study, the rheology, morphology and mechanical properties of microfibrillar composites based on polypropylene reinforced with polyamide 6 (PA6) fibres have been investigated. Influence of different factors such as the PA6 composition and drawing ratio on the output of the extruder, and the compatibilizer composition on the properties of these composites, were investigated. The results of rheometric mechanical spectrometer rheological measurements and melt flow index (MFI) showed that the storage modulus, loss modulus and complex viscosity of the microfibrillar composites are directly related to the composition of PA6. It was also shown that the presence of compatibilizer was the main factor that led to decrease of some properties including the storage modulus, loss modulus and complex viscosity and increase in the MFI. The results of mechanical tests on samples prepared with different drawing ratios showed that by increasing the drawing ratio from 3 to 5, the mechanical properties increase, while increasing draw ratio from 5 to 8 reduces the mechanical properties. With the increase in the composition of the polyamide phase, the tensile strength of microfibrillar composite compatible with polypropylene-grafted-maleic anhydride initially increased; however, the tensile strength decreased with a high composition of polyamide phase. Scanning electron microscope images also revealed that the presence of the compatibilizer in the microfibrillar composites leads to decrease in the number of undeformed drops, while it reduces the micro-fibres diameter, which greatly improved the final properties of the composites.