Maleic Anhydride Polypropylene Research Articles

The effect of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene addition on the degradation in the mechanical properties of the PP/wood composites

This work focuses on studying the influence of coupling agents on the degradation in the mechanical properties of Polypropylene (PP)/wood composites. Maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) was used as a coupling agent between the wood flour and PP matrix. As the coupling agent plays an important role in the stability of the WPC, a 10 wt% wood flour was mixed with PP granules along with a UV stabilizer and varying percentages (1, 3, 5 wt%) of MAPP in a twin-screw extruder to obtain PWC granules. The composite granules were injection molded to produce tensile samples for the mechanical characterization of the composites. To test the environmental degradation of the PWCs, the tensile samples were exposed to the environmental conditions for 0, 336 h (14 days), and 672 h (28 days) prior to testing. After the specified exposure time, the samples were mechanically characterized using tensile testing. The degradation characteristics of the WPCs were quantified in terms of the failure strains of the composite with exposure time. The experiments were designed, and various analyses, including ANOVA, regression equation, and prediction tests, were carried out to investigate the impact of parameters on the failure strain of the PWCs. Moreover, the study aimed to examine the effect of parameters such as MAPP and time, on the failure strain of the composites. From the experimental results, it is concluded that the composites containing 1 wt% of MAPP showed superior retention in the degradation of composites when compared with 3 and 5 wt% MAPP content.

Versatile biochar for wood‐plastic composites: Improving mechanical properties, dimensional and thermal stability

AbstractIn this study, three types of biochar including wood biochar (WB), rice husk biochar (RHB), and bamboo biochar (BB) were used as fillers to mix with wood flour (WF), polypropylene (PP), and maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) to prepare wood polymer biochar composites (WPBC). The influences of biochar types and addition amounts (10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt%, and 40 wt%) on the mechanical properties, dimension stability, and thermal stability of WPBC were investigated. The results showed that the water absorption rate and thickness swelling rate of WPBC were lower than control group due to the hydrophobic nature of the biochar. Additionally, the presence of biochar was beneficial to the interfacial bonding and stress transmission in composites, resulting in better mechanical properties. Composites containing 20 wt% RHB showed the highest flexural modulus among all, which increased by 11.27% compared to control group. Adding WB also enhanced the tensile and impact strength of composites at a loading level of 10 wt%, with the value of 39.10 MPa and 15.55 KJ/m2, respectively. The thermal stability and flame retardancy of WPBC was improved due to the presence of SiO2 in biochar, which could hinder heat transmission and thermal degradation during combustion process. Concurrently, the rate of heat release and smoke generation in WPBC also decreased significantly. The oxygen limiting index (LOI) of composites with 20 wt% RHB was as high as 26.64%, increasing by 30.14% compared to control group. The results suggested that biochar was a promising alternative to commercial additives for the cost‐effective production of composites.Highlights Effects of biochar loading level and type were compared. Enhanced the mechanical properties by optimizing interfacial bonding. Biochar improved the dimensional and thermal stability. Biochar is a versatile and cost‐effective additive.

Identification of percolation threshold of spray‐dried cellulose nanocrystals in homopolymer polypropylene composites

AbstractUnderstanding the percolation threshold is essential for determining the performance of particle‐reinforced polymer composites. Spray‐dried cellulose nanocrystals (SDCNC) of micrometer size reinforced homopolymer polypropylene (HPP) composites at 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt.% were prepared to investigate the percolation threshold of SDCNC particles in HPP. The effect of a compatibilizer (maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP)) at 3, 5, and 7 wt.%, on the SDCNC percolation networks and composites performance were also studied. The results indicated that SDCNC particle percolation networks in HPP were established between 30 and40 wt.%. For composites without MAPP, the impact strength significantly increased by up to 23% below the percolation threshold and declined beyond it. The peak crystallization temperature of HPP was steadily increased until 30 wt.% SDCNC particles were added due to the SDCNC saturated nucleation function at the threshold. Introducing MAPP significantly improved tensile strength (58%), tensile strain (61%), flexural strength (45%), and impact strength (91%) compared with the corresponding composites without MAPP, attributed to the enhanced interfacial adhesion between the SDCNC particles and HPP. Water absorption results indicated that adding MAPP changed the SDCNC particle distribution networks within the matrix above the percolation threshold but did not change it below the threshold.

Effect of Maleic Anhydride Polypropylene on Flexural Properties of Hybrid Kenaf - Sugar Palm Fibre Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

This study was focused on the characterize the hibridisation of kenaf and sugar palm fibre in reinforcing the polypropylene matrix. Addition of MAPP (Maleic Anhydride Polypropylene) was used as compatibilizing agent with variation of 2%, 3% and 5%. The specimen materials were prepared with 30% amounts of fibres while the ratios between kenaf and sugar palm fibre are 10:20, 15:15 and 20:10. The composites were fabricated using melt mixer technique and followed by compression molding process. The specimens were cut according ASTM Standard D790 for conducting the flexural testing. After testing done, the results shown that flexural strength of composites tend to decreased when the content of MAPP increased. The ultimate flexural strength was attained at 2% MAPP addition of the hybrid composites with 20% kenaf fibres. Among the composites with different ratios, the hybrid composites that contain more kenaf fibres exhibit the higher value in flexural strength than the composites that contain more sugar palm fibres.

Chemically Functionalized Graphene–Boron Nitride/Polypropylene Nanocomposites with Enhanced Nanomechanical and Anti-wear Properties

Polymers are soft materials with large molecular chains, which are softened during frictional wear, leading to bulk detachment of materials and poor wear resistance in addition to their low mechanical strength and hardness. This study developed polypropylene nanocomposites containing hydrothermal assembled graphene and boron nitride (BN@GNs) with good mechanical properties and wear resistance. To ensure good dispersion of the nanoparticles in the polypropylene (PP) matrix, they were functionalized and preparation of masterbatch using polypropylene maleic anhydride (PPMA) was adopted, while the polymer nanocomposites for this study were developed via melt compounding. The addition of the nanoparticles in the PP matrix promoted its wear resistance as all the developed nanocomposites showed a low coefficient of friction (CoF). The wear rate of the nanocomposites was dramatically reduced to a minimum of 2.05 × 10−4 mm3/Nm for the PP/3wt%BN@GNs nanocomposite from around 24.9 × 10−4 mm3/Nm for the pure PP. The nanoindentation test results of the nanocomposites also revealed improvement in their nanomechanical characteristics. For instance, PP/3wt%BN@GNs nanocomposite showed an ideal increase of about 124% nano-hardness and 65.7% nano-elastic modulus when compared to pure PP. In comparison to pure PP, all of the developed nanocomposites displayed lower nano-percentage creep and nanoindenter’s tip penetration depth, which suggest greater plastic deformation resistance.

Tribological and thermomechanical evaluation of polypropylene nanocomposites containing different dimensional structures of carbon and ceramic nanoparticles

ABSTRACT This study describes the development of PP nanocomposites using hydrothermally assembled carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/barium titanium (BT) (denoted as BTC) and graphene nanosheets (GNs)/boron nitride (BN) (denoted as BNG) nanoparticles. The PP nanocomposites were fabricated via the development of a masterbatch using polypropylene maleic anhydride (PPMA), followed by diluting with pure PP via melt compounding. The wear resistance and thermomechanical properties of the nanocomposites exhibited a substantial improvement, where about 96.8% increase in wear resistance and low coefficient of friction were recorded. While about 230% increase in glass transition temperature was measured with the nanocomposites relative to the pure PP. The developed nanocomposites have potential applications in automobile and other machine components where high wear resistance and thermal-mechanical properties are required.

Hybridization effect of silane treated basalt fiber on the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of polypropylene/bamboo composite

AbstractThe aim of present work summarizes the synergistic effect of basalt fiber on mechanical, thermal and morphological behavior of PP/bamboo composite. The basalt fibers were varied at four different levels 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% which replaces the bamboo fiber at 40 wt% while keeping both the fibers content constant at 40 wt%. PP/bamboo composite and PP/bamboo/basalt hybrid composites were fabricated through melt compounding of PP (polypropylene), PP‐g‐MA (grafted maleic anhydride polypropylene), alkaline treated bamboo fiber and silane treated basalt fiber, followed by injection molding. The addition of silanized basalt fiber in PP/bamboo composite linearly increased the tensile and flexural related properties while the impact strength decreased with the increase in basalt fiber. Theoretical modeling for tensile strength and modulus indicate the positive hybrid effect of basalt fiber. Results obtained from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated that the crystallinity of the neat PP increased with the incorporation of both the bamboo and basalt fiber. The Thermal degradation results showed that the PP/bamboo composite degraded earlier while the hybrid composite at 5 wt% basalt fiber showed highest thermal stability as compared to neat PP. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results exhibited that the viscoelastic properties enhanced with the addition of bamboo and basalt fiber. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs on the tensile fractured surface revealed random orientation and wetting of basalt and bamboo fibers in PP matrix.

Development of Interior and Exterior Automotive Plastics Parts Using Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite

The integration of sustainable components in automotive parts is in growing demand. This study involves the entire process, from the extraction of kenaf cellulosic fibers to the fabrication of automotive parts by applying injection molding (sample only) and Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) techniques. Fibers were pretreated, followed by moisture content analysis before composite fabrication. The composite was fabricated by integrating the fibers with polypropylene, maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP), unsaturated polyester, and epoxy resin. Mechanical tests were done following ASTM D5083, ASTM D256, and ASTM D5229 standards. The RTM technique was applied for the fabrication of parts with reinforced kenaf long bast fibers. RTM indicated a higher tensile strength of 55 MPa at an optimal fiber content of 40%. Fiber content from 10% to 40% was found to be compatible with or better than the control sample in mechanical tests. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images showed both fiber-epoxy-PE bonding along with normal irregularities in the matrix. The finite element simulations for the theoretical analysis of the mechanical performance characteristics showed higher stiffness and strength in the direction parallel to the fiber orientation. This study justifies the competitiveness of sustainable textile fibers as a reinforcement for plastics to use in composite materials for automotive industries.

Fabrication of novel biocomposite made of chemically treated sludge fibers and various molecular weight polypropylene

The effect of the chemical treatment of paper mill sludge fibers and polypropylene molecular weight were studied relative to the physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of a novel cellulosic biocomposite. Paper mill sludge fibers were treated with acetic anhydride, and succinic anhydride was mixed with maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) and coupling agent (0 and 3%). The ratio of fibers and polymer materials was considered 30 to 70, which was manufactured by the hot-pressing method at 180 °C. Water absorption, volume swelling, and contact angle were examined on each specimen according to ASTM standards, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) explored the efficiency of chemical modification of fibers and the morphology of biocomposites, respectively. The results showed that chemical treatment of fibers reduced the water absorption and volumetric swelling. Both tensile and flexural strength were increased with chemical treatment using the coupling agent. Comparison of fibers treated with succinic acid and acetic acid showed that the succinic acid enhanced the mechanical properties better than the acetic acid treatment. Finally, FTIR analysis showed that the hydroxyl groups decreased, and SEM images indicated the interface between fibers and polypropylene improved via chemical treatment of sludge fibers.

Nanolignin, a Coupling Bio-Agent for Wood-Plastic Composites

The influence of nanolignin coupling bio-agent on some characteristics of polypropylene-wood flour composites was studied. Thus, nanolignin was prepared by the acidic method, and then different ratios of it (0, 1, 3 and 5 wt%) were added to a polypropylene-wood flour mixture. After mechanically mixing wood flour, nanolignin, and polypropylene, the mixture was injection molded. ASTM methods were used to measure the structural properties of nanolignin, and prepared composites’ water absorption, thickness swelling, bending modulus, and bending, tensile and impact strengths. Transforming the original lignin to nanolignin did not change the chemical bonds of the material. The addition of nanolignin yielded improved mechanical and physical properties of the composites prepared. Higher strength and dimensional stability are presented by nanolignin-containing composites when comparing them with those prepared with normal lignin. Nanolignin was shown by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) observation to be uniformly dispersed within the polymer matrix. Wood polymer composites (WPCs) with nanolignin exhibited comparable properties with the control samples prepared using maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP).

Effect of gamma-ray on the physical, morphological and biological durability properties of Abies wood composite

This study's aim is to investigate the effect of ionizing rays such as gamma rays on the natural Durability and morphology of wood plastic composites against fungus (Trametes versicolor) and (Gloeophyllum trabeum), white rot, and brown rot respectively. Abies wood flour with weight ratios of 20% and 40% is mixed with three different polypropylene melt flow indices (H, M, and L) and maleic anhydride polypropylene as a compatibilizer material. The mixing process is performed by a Brabender mixer. Test specimens are made using a press machine. The test specimens are exposed to rainbow and brown fungus for one month at a temperature of 25 ± 1 °C and humidity of 65 ± 5% under EN113. Then, the percentage of mass reduction, water absorption, and thickness swelling on the samples were investigated. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used for the morphology of the composites. The results show that the mass reduction percentage, water absorption, and thickness shrinkage are reduced by irradiating gamma rays at a dose of 25 kGy and increasing the melt flow index on wood plastic composite pieces. Decreasing the percentage of wood flour reduces the severity of rot, water absorption, and thickness swelling of the samples. The effect of MFI on the natural durability of wood plastic composites is greater than the effect of gamma rays. The results showed that the gamma radiation effect in reducing the weight of white and brown fungus decay in LMFI, MMFI, and HMFI parameters in the composite sample with 40%, the difference between the irradiated and non-irradiated samples is statistically significant at 95% confidence level but for composite with 20% wood flour, the difference in the irradiated and non-irradiated samples in weight loss is not statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. Also, the results showed that the effect of gamma radiation on the amount of water absorption and thickness shrinkage in the mentioned parameters in the 20% and 40% wood flour composite is statistically significant at the 95% confidence level, and there is a significant difference between the irradiated and non-irradiated samples. Also, the uniformity of the micrographs obtained from SEM showed that by gamma irradiation to the wood plastic composite, the reflection between the wood fibers and the polymer improved.

Effect of chemical treatments on properties of injection molded Nypa fruticans fiber reinforced polypropylene composite

The rise in environmental awareness prompted consideration of environment friendly materials. Natural fiber, on the contrary, has a structure that allows it to absorb moisture attributable to its hydrophilicity, which hinders its wide application and leads to poor interfacial bonding with the polymer matrix. Therefore, fiber surface modification is inevitable, which is usually based on using the functional group of some chemicals to replace the hydrophilic hydroxyl group to make it more moisture resistant and ameliorate the boding between fiber and polymer matrix. In this study, injection molded nypa fiber reinforced polypropylene composites were fabricated. Three different chemical modification i.e., mercerization, H2O2 treatment, maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) compatibilizer, were employed. Other parameters on which the properties of the composite depend, i.e., fiber volume (30%), manufacturing process, etc. were kept the same. Field emission scanning electron microscopic (FE-SEM) images were also investigated to verify the result of experiments. Moisture resistance of the composite was also evaluated. The tensile and flexural properties of treated composite were significantly enhanced than the untreated one. The maximum strength was obtained for MAPP treated composite. The chemical treatment has a less impact on the impact strength of the composite. Better moisture resistance was observed for treated fiber composites. This study provides the insight of using chemical treatment for better adhesion between the fiber and the polymer.

Tropik ağaç türü olan dahoma (Piptadeniastrum africanum) odununun odun plastik kompozit üretiminde kullanımı

Bu çalışma kapsamında profil çekme makinesinden çıkan atık dahoma odun ununun polipropilen (PP) bazlı odun plastik kompozit üretiminde dolgu maddesi olarak kullanımının kompozit malzemelerin mekanik ve morfolojik özellikleri üzerine etkileri incelenmiştir. Atık odun unları fabrikadan alındığı gibi ve dört farklı oranda (%0, %15, %30 ve %45) kullanılmıştır. Atık odun unlarının boyut analizi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Uyumlaştırıcı olarak %3 oranında maleik anhidrit polipropilen (MAPP) ve yağlayıcı olarak %3 parafin wax kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlar neticesinde odun ununun eklenmesi ile çekme ve darbe direnci değerlerinde hafif dalgalanmalar gözlemlense de genel olarak mekanik değerlerde iyileşmeler belirlenmiştir. Odun ununun katılım oranının artması ile çekmede elastikiyet modülü, eğilme direnci ve eğilmede elastikiyet modülü özellikleri iyileşmiştir. Kopmada uzama değerlerinde ise keskin bir düşüş gözlemlenmiştir. Morfolojik özellikleri incelendiğinde odun ununun homojen bir şekilde polimer matris içerisinde dağılım gösterdiği ve polimer matrisin dolgu maddelerinin etrafını iyice sardığı ve iyi bir arayüz etkileşiminin olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, atık dahoma odun unlarının odun plastik kompozit üretiminde değerlendirilebileceği kanaatine varılmıştır.

Manufacturing of long recycled carbon fibre composites by injection

Due to the rapid growth in the use of composite materials, environmental concerns have become an increasingly influential topic, making recyclability of composite materials a key issue. Furthermore, several related European laws have been passed to minimize the environmental impact of composites (EU 2000/53/CE [1], 2000/76/EC [2], 2004/35/EC [3]). Caused by the high energetic requirements and the huge amount of composite materials used in the manufacturing process, recycling supposes a reduction of a 70% in the costs and 98% in the energy demanded [4]. Once the fibers are obtained through pyrolysis, with a high retention of mechanical properties, the next step is the manufacturing process by injection using a thermoplastic polymeric matrix of polypropylene, a polymer widely used in the composite industry. For that purpose, a study of the compatibility of the fiber with the maleic anhydride polypropylene at different relations -10, 20 and 30%- has been carried out. In order to enhance the mechanical properties, a combination of homopolymer polypropylene, maleic anhydride polypropylene and recycled carbon fibers is studied through the production of a masterbach composed of maleic anhydride polypropylene and carbon fibers, followed by the addition of the homopolymer polypropylene. Once the pellets are obtained, they are injected. The samples injected are analyzed in terms of fiber distribution by scanning electron microscopy and tomography, thus the mechanical properties are evaluated through tensile, impact and bending tests, to determine the optimum fiber/resin ratio.

Enhanced mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites containing carbon nanotubes decorated with barium titanate

This study presents functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) decorated with functionalized barium titanate (BT) (denoted as BT@CNTs) via hydrothermal and self-assembly methods to improve dispersion in polypropylene (PP) matrix with enhanced thermal, mechanical, and thermomechanical properties. The CNTs, BT, and BT@CNTs with the addition of polypropylene maleic anhydride (PPMA) compatibilizer were used in the fabrication of the PP based nanocomposites for this study via solution mixing and melt compounding. FTIR, TEM, and SEM analyses, respectively revealed that the nanoparticles were successfully functionalized, CNTs decorated with BT, and well dispersion in the PP matrix. PP/BT@CNTs-based nanocomposite showed optimal tensile strength, modulus, heat deflection, and thermal stability of about 16.8%, 26.5%, 20.1%, and 30oC higher than that obtained for the pure PP. These properties were also respectively 10.6%, 17.6%, 19.0%, and 5.0oC higher than PP/3CNTs nanocomposite when compared to PP/3BT@CNTs. The PP/BT@CNTs based nanocomposites also revealed enhanced dynamic mechanical properties. The better performance in the measured properties of PP/BT@CNTs compared to pure PP and PP/CNTs were attributed to their uniform microstructures, effective interlocking of the PP matrix due to the presence of BT on CNTs surfaces.

Термодеформационные характеристики нанокомпозитов на основе полипропилена и термозолы бытовых отходов

The paper presents the results of a study of the influence of the concentration and particle size of the filler on the thermomechanical properties of composite materials based on polypropylene and waste from waste processing industry (thermal ash). Three grindings of thermal ash were used with particle sizes: 90 nm, 300 – 500 nm and 1200 – 2000 nm. It has been established that with an increase in the size of thermal ash particles, the deformation curve in the region of the viscous-flow state shifts to the region of high temperatures. As a compatibilizer used functionalized with 5.6 wt. % maleic anhydride polypropylene grade Exxelor PO1020 to improve miscibility and compatibility of non-polar polypropylene with thermal ash particles. It is shown that the introduction of different amounts of the cross-linking agent dicumyl peroxide contributes to a significant change in the pattern of deformation of nanocomposites with temperature. The concentration of dicumyl peroxide was varied within 0.25 – 2.0 wt. %. Peroxide crosslinking using 0.25 – 0.5 wt. % dicumyl peroxide contributed to the appearance of a region of highly elastic deformation on composites with 5.0 and 40 wt. % thermal ash. With an increase in the concentration of dicumyl peroxide over 0.5 wt. % vitrification of nanocomposites was observed. In this state, the samples are completely crosslinked and pass into the infusible state. Such an infusible state is highly undesirable since it is not possible to process them by injection molding and extrusion.

Determination of Injection Molding Process Parameters using Combination of Backpropagation Neural Network and Genetic Algorithm Optimization Method

The polymer matrix composite (PMC) in use today is generally made of synthetic fibers which are expensive and not environmentally friendly. The use of synthetic fibers can be replaced with natural fibers, which are more environmentally friendly at a lower price. The natural fiber material used in this study is made from husks, with a particle size of 500 µm (mesh 35). In the PMC manufacturing process, rice husks are mixed with polypropylene (PP) and maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) with a composition of 10 wt% RH, 85 wt% PP and 5 wt% MAPP. PMC materials using natural fibers are called biocomposite materials. The result of mixing PMC with natural fibers in the form of pellets is then carried out by the injection process using an injection molding machine. The printed results are in the form of tensile test specimens based on ASTM D 638-03 type V testing standards and impact test specimens based on ASTM D 256-04 testing standards. The research was conducted by optimizing the responses i.e. tensile strength and impact strength of the biocomposite material in the injection molding machine process, whereas varied process parameters, namely barrel temperature, injection pressure, holding pressure, injection velocity were selected as process parameters. The backpropagation neural network (BPNN) training method is used to recognize the pattern of the relationship between process parameters and response parameters based on the previous experiment, while the genetic algorithm (GA) optimization method is to determine the variation settings for process parameters that can optimize tensile and impact strength. The results of the BPNN training have a 4-9-9-2 network architecture consisting of 4 input layers, 2 hidden layers with 9 neurons, and 2 neurons in the output layer. Optimization with GA produces a combination of variable process parameters barrel temperature 217◦C, injection pressure 55 Bar, holding pressure 41 Bar and injection velocity 65 mm/sec. The results of statistical validation using one sample T test show that the average value of tensile strength and impact strength from the results of the confirmation experiment is the same as the value of the tensile strength and impact strength of the optimization prediction.

Properties of Wood-Plastic Composites Manufactured from Two Different Wood Feedstocks: Wood Flour and Wood Pellets.

Driven by the motive of minimizing the transportation costs of raw materials to manufacture wood–plastic composites (WPCs), Part I and the current Part II of this paper series explore the utilization of an alternative wood feedstock, i.e., pellets. Part I of this study reported on the characteristics of wood flour and wood pellets manufactured from secondary processing mill residues. Part II reports on the physical and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)-based WPCs made using the two different wood feedstocks, i.e., wood flour and wood pellets. WPCs were made from 40-mesh wood flour and wood pellets from four different wood species (white cedar, white pine, spruce-fir and red maple) in the presence and absence of the coupling agent maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP). With MAPP, the weight percentage of wood filler was 20%, PP 78%, MAPP 2% and without MAPP, formulation by weight percentage of wood filler was 20% and PP 80%. Fluorescent images showed wood particles’ distribution in the PP polymer matrix was similar for both wood flour and ground wood pellets. Dispersion of particles was higher with ground wood pellets in the PP matrix. On average, the density of composite products from wood pellets was higher, tensile strength, tensile modulus and impact strength were lower than the composites made from wood flour. Flexural properties of the control composites made with pellets were higher and with MAPP were lower than the composites made from wood flour. However, the overall mechanical property differences were low (0.5–10%) depending on the particular WPC formulations. Statistical analysis also showed there was no significant differences in the material property values of the composites made from wood flour and wood pellets. In some situations, WPC properties were better using wood pellets rather than using wood flour. We expect if the material properties of WPCs from wood flour versus wood pellets are similar and with a greater reduction in transportation costs for wood pellet feedstocks, this would be beneficial to WPC manufacturers and consumers.

Thermo‐mechanical, rheological and morphology properties of polypropylene composites: Residual CaCO3 as a sustainable by‐product

AbstractThis research looked into the possibility of using residual calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as a by‐product of the cane sugar production process combined with polypropylene (PP) to replace commercial CaCO3. Using a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder, the CaCO3/PP composites were made in the following ratios: 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, and 50:50, with the addition of maleic anhydride polypropylene at 5 wt% of CaCO3. In terms of mechanical properties, thermal properties, rheological properties, and morphology, the effect of the residual CaCO3 filler reinforced in PP matrix was compared to commercial CaCO3/PP composites. The findings showed that residual CaCO3 from the sugar production process can replace the use of industrial CaCO3 mixing in plastic and can add value to the residual CaCO3. The residual CaCO3/PP composites had better tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact resistance, and thermal stability than commercial CaCO3/PP composites, according to the findings. The composites' tensile modulus, flexural modulus, hardness, thermal stability, and rheological properties improved as the CaCO3 loading increased.

Influence of nanosized CaCO3 content in tailoring the structure, the morphology and the thermal and mechanical properties of iPP/PA66/PP-g-MA alloy

Nanocomposites of Polypropylene/Polyamide 66 (iPP/PA66) with a weight ratio of (70/30) filled with stearic acid-treated nanosized CaCO3 were melt compounded in the presence of a fixed amount of grafted polypropylene maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) in a Brabender mixer. The purpose of this research is to obtain nanocomposites with high-performance structural, morphological, and thermomechanical properties. The obtained properties are discussed in light of the content of nano-CaCO3 and of the induced interfacial bonding properties generated by the insertion of the compatibilizer. The results confirmed that, according to the FTIR spectroscopy analysis, the existence, on one hand of possible interactions between PP-g-MA and PA66 and, on the other hand, between stearic acid and PA66. XRD results show that nanosized CaCO3 particles play the role of nucleating agents in the matrix and thus increasing the crystallinity of the blend. SEM results revealed that the treated nanosized CaCO3 was more homogeneously dispersed in the (iPP/PA66), and a refinement of the morphology and better dispersion of the filler were detected after the addition of PP-g-MA. From the mechanical point of view; the incorporation of CaCO3 increased appreciably the tensile strength at break and the tensile modulus of (iPP/PA66) blend.