Study of the Mechanical and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Talc/Nanoclay Ternary Nanocomposites

Abstract

Inorganic micro and nano fillers such as talc and nanoclay are used to improve various properties of polypropylene (PP). In general, the use of inorganic fillers affects the mechanical, rheological and service temperature of the matrix. In recent years, the simultaneous use of nano and micro fillers and investigation of the effect of these hybrid systems on various properties of the composite has gained the attention of many scientists. In this work, ternary nanocomposites, PP/talc/nanoclay, were prepared via melt compounding of the ingredients in a twin-screw extruder. The dispersion status of the fillers was followed by XRD and TEM techniques. The mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites were investigated in comparison to the binary composites (PP/talc and PP/nanoclay). The results showed that in ternary nanocomposites, the nanoclay was better exfoliated than that of PP/nanoclay composite. This could be due to higher matrix viscosity as the result of the presence of talc, which provides a balance between shear stress and molecular diffusion. As a result of this better exfoliated structure, a substantial increase in modulus, yield stress and other mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties was achieved in PP/talc/nanoclay nanocomposites.