Study on Mechanical Properties and Crystallization Behavior of Polypropylene and Its Blends Modified by β Crystalline Form Nucleating Agent

Abstract

ABSTRACT The influence of β crystalline form nucleating agent (β nucleator) on the mechanical properties of homo-polymerized polypropylene (PPH), random-copolymerized polypropylene (PPR), block-copolymerized polypropylene (PPB), and PPH/PPR/PPB blends was studied. Polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) were used to characterize the crystalline morphology and behavior. The results indicated that α crystalline form of polypropylene (PP) had transformed to β crystalline form by adding 0.5% β nucleator; in the meantime, the toughness of PP and its blends was enhanced. That is, 0.5% β nucleator helped to improve the notched impact strength of PPH, PPR, and PPH/PPR/PPB blends by 130%, 40%, and 40%, respectively, without losing the tensile strength and flexural strength.