Maleic Anhydride-grafted Polypropylene Research Articles

Manufacturing and Joining PP/NBR Blends in the Presence of Dual Compatibilizer and Halloysite Nanotubes.

Polypropylene (PP)/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) composite plates reinforced with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were manufactured in the presence of dual compatibilizers: PP-grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) and styrene ethylene butylene styrene-grafted maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA). The mechanical characteristics and microstructure of the PP/NBR/HNT nanocomposites were investigated as a function of NBR content (10, 20, and 30 wt.%) and HNTs content (3, 5, and 7 wt.%). The results demonstrated that the rubber particles were well dispersed over the PP matrix and that the HNTs were partly agglomerated at contents above 5%. Friction stir welding (FSW) was used to join the nanocomposite plates. A significant reduction in scattered NBR droplet size was seen in the FS-welded specimens containing 80/20 (wt/wt) PP/NBR composites in the presence of a dual compatibilizer. Considerable improvement in particle dispersion was observed in the case of PP/NBR blends filled 80/20 (wt/wt) with HNTs joined using FSW, leading to enhanced mechanical properties in the joints. This was due to the stirring action of the FSW tool. Suitable agreement between anticipated and confirmed values was observed in experiments.

The effect of coupling agent on the mechanical properties of injection molded polypropylene/wheat straw composites

The objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as coupling agent in polypropylene (PP)-based composites filled with ground wheat straw (WS) particles. The WS and the MAPP content in the composites was 10 wt% and 2 wt%, respectively. The samples were fabricated through melt compounding using a twin-screw extruder and then formed into dumbbell-shaped specimens by injection molding. The mechanical properties of neat PP and the composites with and without coupling were evaluated based on tensile and flexural tests and dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA). The experimental results showed that incorporating WS into the PP reduces its tensile strength by ~3 MPa, while improving its Young’s modulus by 0.14 GPa. The addition of MAPP compensated for the loss in tensile strength without affecting the modulus. Similar observations were made during the flexural tests as well, in which case, however, there was no loss revealed in the strength in the presence of WS due to the different types of load. The results of DMA analyses indicated an improved stiffness of WS-containing samples throughout the whole analyzed temperature range of 20-120 °C as a consequence of reduced chain mobility of PP caused by the stiff straw particles.

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Composites Filled with Wood Flour of Underutilized Chaste Tree

The potential use of a lignocellulosic filler, Vitex agnus-castus plant (Chaste tree), which is a deciduous invasive shrub, in thermoplastic composites was investigated. The stems of chaste trees with a diameter of 5-10 cm from Mugla city, Western Turkey, were used for the study. The different amounts (0 to 50 wt%, by 10 % increments) of the wood flour passing through the screen openings of 0.237 mm were added to the polypropylene matrix. Premixed raw materials were put into the volumetric feeder of the twin-screw extruder. The extruder barrel temperature was gradually increased from 170 °C (feeding zone) to the die zone (190 °C) at a constant screw speed (40 rpm). Then, the dried granules were hot-pressed into the 4 mm thick WPC panels at 2 MPa and 190 °C for 5 min. 3 wt% of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was added as compatibilizer into the formulation. The WPCs showed an increase in the thickness swelling (0.58 to 5.68 %) as the amount of the filler increased from 10 to 50 wt% in the polypropylene. The bending strength of the polypropylene composites increased from 33.9 to 44.8 MPa as the amount of the chaste wood flour was increased to 30 wt%, but further increase caused the decrease in the tensile strength (25.7 MPa). As for the bending modulus, it increased from 815 to 3250 MPa when the wood content reached 50 wt%. The tensile modulus increased from 1690 to 2253 MPa when the wood content arised from 10 to 50 wt%. The tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus of the unfilled polypropylene were found to be 19.6 MPa, 1505 MPa, 30.2 MPa and 664 MPa, respectively. According to the test results, it was concluded that the 30-40 wt% of Vitex agnus-castus wood could be efficiently used in the polypropylene composites for the semi-building applications such as decking or siding. The evaluation of underused invasive chaste wood in the production of tWPC production may result in an effective way to utilize this resource.

A novel natural fiber from plane tree (Platanus orientalis L.) fruits to reinforce polypropylene composites

This study investigated the mechanical properties of polypropylene composites reinforced with short natural fibers obtained from plane tree ( Platanus orientalis L.) fruits. The fibers were harvested from the fruits that naturally fell from the tree in their standard length of about 6 mm. Composites were produced via melt blending using varied concentrations of the fibers (5–10–20–30 wt.%) and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) copolymer as the coupling agent. The mechanical properties of the composites were characterized by tensile test, flexural test, dynamic mechanic analysis and ball-on-disc sliding wear test. The findings revealed that the fibers had a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the polypropylene matrix and the properties were found to improve linearly with increasing fiber concentration. At a 30 wt.% fiber concentration, the tensile and flexural strengths increased about 28% and 36% compared to pure polypropylene, respectively. At this fiber concentration, the modulus doubled compared to the pristine polymer. This increase is higher than that reported for most other natural fibers. Good miscibility between fibers and matrix, enhanced thermal stability, and about 30% reduction in friction coefficients were found. As a result, PTFs have the potential to be used in industries such as automotive, construction and sports which require mechanical strength and low weight.

Influence of the use of Renewable Compatibility Agent Wood Plastic Composite (WPC)

The growing interest in using recycled and natural materials in the application of new composites in recent years implies ecological, economic and versatility benefits. Wood plastic composite (WPC) are considered very attractive materials, as they allow the use of polymers of recycled or virgin origin, associated with forestry by-products. The present work aims to investigate the influence on the mechanical, thermal and morphological resistance of WPC, using oleic acid and glycerol as renewable coupling agents. Composites were also prepared with a commercial compatibility agent in its formulation - maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) - under the same conditions. The composites were prepared in a single-screw extruder, with fixed contents of 5% sawdust with 95% virgin polymer, of this total, 2% were coupling agents: MAPP, oleic acid or glycerol, according to the desired composition. To be evaluated as changes in mechanical properties, tensile and impact strength tests were performed on specimens obtained through the injection molding process. The fracture surfaces of specimens tested in tensile tests were examined using images generated by scanning electron microscopy. The thermal stability of the composites was also investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The use of glycerol and oleic acid improved the mechanical properties of the composite. An increase in tensile strength is observed when glycerol is added in composite. As for impact strength, the addition of glycerol or oleic acid was around 58% higher in impact strength when compared to without coupling agent. Glycerol and oleic acid are renewable, low-cost alternative to be a potential substitute for the commercial coupling agent MAPP, especially when the main requirement is to obtain better impact resistance properties.

Manufacture and Characterization of Recycled Polypropylene and Olive Pits Biocomposites.

The present work studies the use of olive pit (OP) as a reinforcement in the manufacture of composites based on a post-consumer recycled polypropylene (rPP). In this way, it is feasible to provide added value from olive pits, a by-product resulting from the olive industry operations, while promoting the circular economy and reducing the use of fossil-based polymers. For this purpose, suitable samples were manufactured using 25 wt% and 40 wt% of OP. Additionally, the effect of incorporating additives was studied: (a) a process control additive (PA), and (b) a coupling agent of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP). The results showed an improvement in Young’s and flexural modulus with the OP addition. The incorporation of PA did not present any significant improvement in the properties of the materials, nevertheless it facilitated the biocomposite manufacturing process. As for the coupling agent, it significantly improved the mechanical properties, achieving the best results with the addition of the two types of additives and 40 wt% of OP. Moreover, the thermal properties were maintained, and there was an increase in crystallinity in all composites compared to rPP. According to the results of the fracture surface analysis, the coupling agent improves reinforcement-polymer matrix cohesion.

Effect of Compatibilizer on the Properties of Areca-Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

ABSTRACT Areca fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared at 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% loading levels in the presence of compatibilizing agent, MAPP (maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene). The influence of compatibilizing agent and filler concentration on the mechanical properties of the resulting composites was studied. At 50% areca fiber loading, tensile, flexural strength, and modulus of the coupled samples were found to be superior when compared to the uncoupled samples. Coupled composites exhibited effective coupling/interfacial adhesion between the surface of areca fiber and polypropylene phase as evidenced by SEM microphotographs and FTIR spectroscopy. Increase in fiber percentage led to an increase in brittleness and stiffness of composites. A considerable increase in strength was noticed upon the addition of compatibilizing agent, due to proper incorporation of areca fiber into the polypropylene matrix and the efficient transfer of load from matrix to the fiber. Higher moisture absorption in case of composites with higher fiber content was found. Addition of MAPP reduces the percentage of water absorption as a result of encapsulation of areca fiber. Areca fiber can be effectively utilized to develop artificial wood with better properties to replace natural wood as a waste-to-wealth approach.

Characterization of Biodegradable Composites from Polypropylene, Polypropylene Grafted Maleic Anhydride, and Durian Seed Starch

The characterization of biodegradable composite from durian seed starch that is mixed polypropylene, and polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride has been done. The stages of this preparation were, the first had prepared durian seed starch, the second had the process of grafting maleic anhydride into polypropylene and the third had made of composite with the composition of PP:PP-g-MA: DSS (7:0.5:0.2); (7:0.5:0.3); (7:0.5:0.4); (7:0.5:0.5); (7:0.5:0.6) (w/w). The biodegradable composites obtained were characterized by tensile strength, surface morphology analysis by SEM, differential thermal analysis (DTA), analysis in nature with the ability to decompose biodegradable test, and functional groups analysis by FTIR spectroscopy. The results showed that the biodegradable composites have the best properties in the ratio of PP:PP-g-MA: DSS was (7:0.5:0.5) (w/w) with the test results of tensile stress is 12.556 N/m2, and the elongation is 8.600%, the images on a few flat surfaces and improved homogeneity, temperature change, and strong group interactions as well as having good biodegradable properties.

Fabrication of Biodegraded Composite from Polypropylene, Polypropylene Grafted Maleic Anhydride, and Chempedak Seed (Artocarpus integer) Starch

Fabrication of biodegraded composite from polypropylene, polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride, and chempedak seed (Artocarpus integer) starch has been conducted. The stages were prepared starch of Cempedak seed, grafting process of maleic anhydride on polypropylene, and fabrication of composite with a composition ratio of PP: PP-g-MA: starch of chempedak seed (9.5:0.5:0.1)g, (9.5:0.5:0.2)g, (9.5:0.5:0.3)g, (9.5:0.5:0.4)g, (9.5:0.5:0.5) g, and PP: starch of chempedak seed (10:2)g. The composites obtained were characterized using tensile strength and elongation testing, surface morphology analysis by SEM, analysis in nature with the ability to decompose by biodegradable test, and functional groups analysis by FTIR spectroscopy. The results showed that the biodegradable composites have the best properties in the ratio of PP: PP-g-MA: starch of chempedak seed (9.5:0.5:0.1)g with the test results of tensile strength was 28.743 N/m2, and also the SEM results show that flat surface and improved homogeneity, and strong group interactions as well as having good biodegradable properties.

Mechanical performance of a novel glass fiber reinforced maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene composite and its thermoplastic‐based fiber metal laminates

AbstractIn this article, continuous glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic prepreg is proposed using maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as the matrix resin. The compression molding parameters and plying sequences are optimized. Under the process parameters of 155°C and 15 MPa, both the tensile and flexural properties achieve the maximum values, and the plying sequence of (0°/90°) possess a balanced mechanical performance. Then, MAPP/GF/Al fiber‐metal laminates are further fabricated in two stacking configurations of 2/1 and 3/2. The mechanical results showed that the tensile and bending strength were basically maintained, while the modulus are significantly enhanced by 114.9% and 135.4% in 2/1 and 3/2 fiber metal laminates (FMLs) in contrast with MAPP/GF controls. In addition, the large deflection behavior in bending test for FMLs suggest that MAPP/GF and aluminum alloy show a synergy deformation due to the good bonding between metal layer and thermoplastic resin. The optical microstructure also revealed that the interlaminar adhesion are well joined between FML constituents. The findings in this study are important from a design viewpoint of FMLs because of the lower material cost, less processing time, and good lightweight effect, which potentially be tailored to use as structural parts in automobile applications.

A practical manner to GTR recycling in waste-HDPE/ABS

Waste high-density polyethylene (w-HDPE)/ acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS)/ground tire rubber (GTR) have been melt blended by two-roll milling. Ternary blends of w-HDPE/ABS/GTR have been observed to be incompatible in the composition range studied which revealed in the deteriorated mechanical properties. Two main types of compatibilizers such as an experimental olefin-maleic anhydride copolymer based one synthesized by the authors and a commercial maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MA-g-PP) have been chosen for enhancing compatibility between the components ergo the mechanical properties. For characterizing tensile and impact properties of the blends mechanical tests have been carried out besides the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The most advantageous result in industrial practice can be that the experimental additive allows to apply higher GTR concentration ergo gives the opportunity to recycle higher level of GTR.

Eco-friendly wood-plastic composites from laminate sanding dust and waste poly(propylene) food pails

Plastic pollution caused by non-degradable petrochemical-based plastics has become a serious environmental problem in China, and the reasonable management of industrial waste and renewable resources remains a huge challenge. Here, we report environment-friendly wood-plastic composites (WPCs), prepared from decorative high-pressure laminate (HPL) sanding dust (filler) and waste thermoplastic food pails (matrix), as well as comprehensively evaluate the processability, mechanical and interfacial properties, indoor safety evaluation. The elemental composition and thermal stability of these two residue materials were suitable for the WPC manufacturing process. The content of HPL sanding dust in WPC was fixed at 60 wt%, and the amount of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) added was 5 wt%-7 wt%, which maximized the utilization of waste resources, and can obtain impact strength as high as 5–6 kJ/m2, tensile strength of 35–42 MPa and flexural strength as high as 43–46 MPa. The developed WPCs had low formaldehyde emissions (≤1.53 mg/m3) and slightly improved flame retardancy. Finally, their lower cost (5,035 yuan/ton) and higher eco-efficiency (12.81 yuan/kg CO2) characteristics allowed them to be compatible with the current sustainable development requirements. This study provides a novel approach for the utilization of industrial waste and recyclable resources for sustainable replacement of wood-based products.

Effect of hybridization on crystallization behavior, mechanical properties, and toughening mechanisms in rubber-modified polypropylene flax fiber composites

Nowadays, the significance of sustainability has urged composite manufacturers to replace traditional synthetic fibers with eco-friendly natural alternatives due to their environmental and economic benefits. This work aims to fabricate hybrid polypropylene (PP) composites with short flax fibers, octene-ethylene copolymer (POE) rubber particles, and maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) compatibilizer. The main goal is to gain an insight into the combined effect of toughening mechanisms induced by the short fibers and rubber particles at the crack tip and wake of composites, which is a crucial step in reaching a balance between toughness and rigidity. In this regard, a novel microscopy strategy is taken to elucidate the operating mechanisms at the crack tip and crack wake of composites. Also, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile, and Charpy impact tests were employed to investigate the effect of hybridization on the crystallization behavior, tensile, and impact properties of composites. The experimental results showed that the combined effect of encouraging matrix plastic deformation and synergistic work of toughening mechanisms at the crack tip and wake in the MAPP-modified hybrid composites containing 30% flax fibers and 10% POE rubber particles yielded an optimal improvement of 315%, 135%, and 37% in impact strength, elastic modulus, and ultimate tensile strength, respectively, over the neat PP formulation.

Effect of Polypropylene Grafted Maleic Anhydride (PP-G-MAH) on the Properties of Asphalt and its Mixture Modified With Recycled Polyethylene/Recycled Polypropylene (RPE/RPP) Blends

In this study, a ternary blend modifier (TBM) was prepared with RPE, RPP, and various dosages of PP-g-MAH (i.e., 0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 9% by weight of RPE and RPP) by a twin-screw extruder. The performance of TBM (4% by weight of asphalt) modified asphalt was studied, with the increase of PP-g-MAH content, the penetration decreases gradually, but softening point and viscosity increases and ductility exists minimum value at 7% content, with the increasing of PP-g-MAH percentage, the dynamic rheological properties show that |G*| increases, while the δ and |G*|cosδ decrease, and the fatigue performance (|G*|sinδ) of TBM modified asphalt is worse than virgin asphalt. Dynamic stability test shows that TBM shows the prominent high-temperature properties of a modified (asphalt mixture. BBR test indicates that the m-value of asphalt modified with TBM does not fulfill the requirements (m-value>0.3) except at 5% and 7%, but the S meets the standard requirements (S < 300 MPa), and increases from 0% to 7%, then decreases slightly. In order to illuminate possible reasons, a chemical reaction (ester compounds generated) and physical twines of concerned polymer molecules were put forward, and the results were confirmed by infrared analysis.

The influence of poorly-/well-dispersed organo-montmorillonite on interfacial compatibility, fire retardancy and smoke suppression of polypropylene/intumescent flame retardant composite system

A novel linear polymeric charring agent (PEPAPC) was synthesized via the nucleophilic substitution reaction, and then embedded into polypropylene (PP) substrate to improve the fire retardancy and anti-dripping performance. Unfortunately, the opposite polarity between intumescent flame retardant (IFR) and polymer-matrix could seriously deteriorate the interfacial compatibility, harmful to the flame-retardant efficiency and smoke toxicity suppression of PP/IFR composites. For the foregoing reasons, flame retardant PP/IFR/Organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites with the combination of maleic anhydride-grafted PP as compatibilizer have been prepared via melt intercalation technique. When 2 wt% well-dispersed OMMT were incorporated, it showed a significant reduction in peak heat release rate and total heat release (90.5 and 62.7%) compared with pristine PP, and an achievement in limiting oxygen index value of 32% from 18.5% for pristine PP, which can be attributed to the nano-barrier and catalytic carbonization effect of well-dispersed OMMT within the polymer-matrix. More importantly, the well-dispersed OMMT displays significant smoke toxicity suppression, toughening and strengthening effect on PP/IFR system. The peak CO release and total smoke production for PP-6 were decreased by 89.8 and 64.7%, respectively. This work may provide an effective approach towards fabricating high-performance polymeric materials on organic/inorganic hybrid nanocomposites with homogenous dispersion, thereby effectively reducing the fire hazard risk.

Morphological, mechanical, and physical properties of ground rubber tire thermoplastic elastomer/rubberwood sawdust composites: Effects of composition contents and rubber types

Waste tire disposal is a growing challenge among major cities worldwide because each year, a huge number of end-of-life tires is generated. The current study aimed to evaluate the potential of ground rubber tire (GRT) and waste rubberwood sawdust (RWS) as materials for developing wood-polymer composites (WPCs). The effects of the compositions’ contents and rubber types on the mechanical and physical properties, as well as the morphology of the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)/RWS composites were investigated. The results revealed that the addition of about 30–60 wt% of RWS improved the modulus of elasticity, compressive modulus, and hardness of the TPE composites based on both the GRT and natural rubber (NR). With the same RWS content and rubber type, the TPE/RWS composites with rubber/plastic blends of a 30/70 ratio clearly yielded better mechanical and physical properties than those blends with a 40/60 ratio. The addition of about 2–4 wt% of maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) improved all the properties of the TPE/RWS composites. Overall, the composites based on the GRT gave superior strength, rigidity, and dimensional stability than that based on NR. It is therefore suggested that the eco-friendly TPE composites made from GRT and waste rubberwood could be a suitable replacement for the inorganic filler-natural rubber composites for saving costs and the environment.

Injection molded discontinuous and continuous rattan fiber reinforced polypropylene composite: Development, experimental and analytical investigations

Because of the superabundant accessibility and availability of natural fiber, the research field of natural fiber-reinforced composites is becoming an emerging interest in sustainable technology. In this present study, injection molded rattan fiber inreinforced polypropylene composites were prepared, where maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was used as compatibilizer. The extreme amount of lignin percentage in rattan fiber was the primary motive for fabricating the rattan-based polypropylene composite with MAPP compatibilizer. Three different fiber volume percentages (10, 20 and 30%) were considered for preparing the composites. The mechanical characterizations, such as tensile behavior, flexural behavior, impact strength, hardness, and thermal characterization, such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were investigated. Several thermal properties, such as onset temperature, endset temperature, melting temperature, heat capacity, melting enthalpy, decomposition behavior of these composites were observed from these TGA and DSC curves. As well, the wet absorption characteristics of the composites were examined to investigate hydrophilic behavior. Furthermore, continuous rattan fiber reinforced polypropylene composites with indistinguishable fiber volume percentages and compatibilizer were prepared by partial injection molding technique for comparing the mechanical and wet absorption behaviors and validating elastic modulus by the analytical findings. The tensile strength, flexural strength and impact toughness of discontinuous fiber composites were enhanced up to 23, 25, 153% respectively within the fiber content. The improvement of mechanical properties was higher when polypropylene was reinforced by continuous rattan fiber. Nevertheless, the continuous fiber composites were more hydrophilic than discontinuous fiber composites.

Molecular-scale deformation of glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene probed by rheo-optical Fourier transform infrared imaging combined with a two-trace two-dimensional correlation technique

The molecular-scale deformation behavior of glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene was probed by a newly developed rheo-optical Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) imaging technique combined with two-trace two-dimensional correlation mapping. This technique, based on an in situ polarized FTIR microscopic analysis, revealed variations in the polymer orientation during tensile deformation. The analyses of composites containing single fibers aligned parallel and perpendicular to the elongation direction clearly revealed that the addition of maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) restricts the polymer mobility at the matrix–fiber interface and inhibits interfacial debonding during the elongation process. Namely, matrix–fiber adhesion was improved by the compatibilizing effects of MAPP, which in turn contributed to enhanced mechanical properties resulting from the efficient stress transfer and reduction in fracture formation at the matrix–fiber interface. This study demonstrates that the rheo-optical technique can provide a better understanding of the reinforcement mechanism of glass-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics related to interfacial states.

Crystallization and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube/continuous carbon fiber/metallocene polypropylene composites

In this work, a high fluidity polypropylene prepared with the metallocene catalyst (mPP) was used as matrix, carbon nanotube (CNT) and continuous carbon fiber (CCF) were added to prepare composites, and their mechanical properties, melting and crystallization behavior were investigated. In the mechanical properties, the effects of tension force in the preparation process and compatibilizer maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) on the tensile strength of the composites were researched. The results show that the tensile strength of the composites increases first and then decreases with the increase of tractive force. In addition, the melting and crystallization behaviors and dynamic mechanical behaviors of mPP, CNT/mPP and CNT/CCF/mPP composites were characterized and studied by a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). The results show that the melting point (T m), crystallization temperature (T c) and storage modulus (E′) of CNT/mPP are all increased by adding 1 wt% CNT, especially the T c is increased by 8.8 °C. It shows that after CNT was added to mPP as inorganic carbon material, it plays a prominent role in heterogeneous nucleation. After CCF was composited with CNT/mPP, the composites with CCF content of 30 and 42 wt% were prepared, and their T m, T c, crystallinity (X c) and E′ were all improved, especially E′ was greatly improved, such as the initial E′ was increased by 5.64 and 11.74 times. Even at the end of the curve, the E′ of the composites with CF is still significantly higher than that of mPP and CNT/mPP. It indicates that adding CCF will greatly improved the deformation resistance and load deformation temperature of mPP.

Effect of hybrid fillers on the mechanical behavior of polypropylene based hybrid composites

The present study investigates the effect of hybrid fillers such as graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) and Titanium di-oxide (TiO2) in polypropylene (PP) composites on the mechanical properties. The compatibilizing agent of Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) are used in the polypropylene based composites to increase the interfacial adhesion between matrix and fillers. The experiments are designed according to L16 orthogonal array (OA) based design of experiments (DOE). The parameters selected for this study are GnPs, TiO2 and MAPP with four different levels are used.By using Orthogonal array and Taguchi based experimental design, the performance characteristics of tensile modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break and toughness can be analyzed with more objective through a small set of experiments.Taguchi based analysis are used to find out the optimal parameters to maximize the tensile properties for the GnPs and TiO2 reinforced PP hybrid composites. Further, analysis of variance (ANOVA) is investigated to identify the most significant parameters which influence the mechanical properties.From the analysis it was found that the optimal parameters of 3 ​wt% GnPs, 2 ​wt% TiO2 and 6 ​wt% MAPP for maximum tensile modulus and tensile strength. The most significant parameter for tensile modulus and tensile strength is GnPs followed by TiO2 and MAPP according to ANOVA analysis.