Mechanical Properties of PP/clay Nanocomposites Prepared from Masterbatch: Effect of Nanoclay Loadings and Re-Processing

Abstract

PP/clay nanocomposites samples of 1st and 2nd cycles (recycle) and different nanoclay loadings (i.e. 0, 5, 10, 15 wt%) samples were made by utilizing twin-screw extruder and injection molding machine. The samples were then characterized using a tensile test machine. The tensile tests results showed that modulus of elasticity and tensile strength of the nanocomposites samples for both 1st and 2nd cycles were all higher than the neat PP, and increased with increasing nanoclay loadings. The enhancements of modulus of elasticity (as compared to the neat PP) for 1st cycle of the nanocomposites were about 38.08%, 49.33%, and 78.65% for NC-5-I, NC-10-I, and NC-15-I, respectively. Whereas, for the 2nd cycle of the nanocomposites were about 44.33%, 59.59%, and 84.69% for NC-5-II, NC-10-II, and NC-15-I, respectively. This indicated that the incorporation of nanoclay in the PP matrix significantly increased mechanical properties, especially modulus of elasticity and tensile strength of the nanocomposites. Additionally, values of modulus of elasticity and tensile strength of 1st cycle and 2nd cycle of PP/clay nanocomposites were compared by plotting them in two graphs. The plots revealed that reprocessing of the nanocomposites did not significantly influence the mechanical properties of the nancomposites.