Thermal properties and nonisothermal crystallization behaviour of polypropylene nanocomposite

Abstract

Nucleated polypropylene (PP) masterbatch and the nanoclay-containing composite of PP are prepared by reactive processing method to improve the thermo-mechanical properties of virgin PP. PP masterbatch and the nanocomposite exhibits pronounced improvement in crystallization temperature (Tc) and the heat distortion temperature (HDT) when compared with neat PP. The melting and nonisothermal crystallization behaviors of the neat PP and the nanocomposite are studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Results indicate that half time of crystallization at a particular cooling rate remains unchanged in neat PP and the nanocomposite. However, super cooling effect is pronounced in the nanocomposite when compared with neat PP. Irrespective of cooling rate there is approximately 14% improvement in Tc in PP nanocomposite with respect the neat PP. Such an improvement in Tc with improved thermo-mechanical properties are highly desirable for rigid packaging applications.