Presence Of Compatibilizer Research Articles

The role of the matrix-filler affinity on morphology and properties of polyethylene/clay and polyethylene/ compatibilizer/clay nanocomposites drawn fibers

AbstractIn this work the structural variations and mechanical performance of polyethylene/clay nanocomposite drawn fibres, also in the presence of compatibilizer, such as a commercial maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene, PEgMA, was studied. In the isotropic state both systems show intercalated morphology.After spinning and cold drawing, by adding the nanoparticles, the tensile strength as a function of the draw ratio increases and this rise is more pronounced for the filled compatibilized system. The reduction of the elongation at break, on the contrary, is about the same for all the examined samples. The orientation of the macromolecules, evaluated by measurements of the birefringence and calorimetric analysis, is similar for all the samples, but the filled, drawn fibres show a higher level of intercalation and, in particular, some exfoliation, more and more pronounced with the draw ratio and in presence of compatibilizer, as a consequence of the application of the extensional (at low and high temperature) flow. For the three components system with greater affinity between the polymer matrix and clay, the extensional flow is more efficient. The initial intercalated morphology changes to some more intercalation and finally, at the highest anisotropic condition in the presence of the PEgMA, evolves to delaminated clay structure.

Real time assessment of the compatibilization of polypropylene/polyamide 6 blends during extrusion

The reactivity of maleic anhydride and acrylic acid polypropylene graft copolymers with amine groups and their effect in the compatibilization of polymer blends was analyzed in real time during the reactive processing of compatilized polypropylene/polyamide 6 (PP/PA6) blends. The presence of compatibilizers in the blend produces a block copolymer PP-PA6, which stays in the blends interface, lowering the interfacial tension and reducing the PA6 particle size, affecting the light extinction phenomena. The in-line optical detector is able to indirectly quantify the conversion of the compatibilization reaction of the blends. The signal intensity of the detector increases with the increase of the PA6 content due to the increase in the number of particles. Quantitative off-line FTIR analyses of the compatibilized blends have shown that the amount of block copolymer formed when polypropylene grafted with acrylic acid (PP-g-AA) is used as compatibilizer increases with its content in the blend. There is a good correlation between the in-line optical measurement and the off-line amidic bond content formed. Non-reacted compatibilizers are always present in the reactive blends whose content is proportional to its initial concentration. The PA6 particle size data obtained from scanning electron microscopy analysis showed good correlation with the in-line measurements. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers

Effect of Nanoclay on the Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Wood Polymer Nanocomposite

Polypropylene/wood flour composites with different nanoclay and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) contents were fabricated by melt compounding and then by injection molding. The mechanical properties, such as flexural modulus, tensile modulus, elongation at break, and impact strength, were evaluated. Results indicated that the flexural modulus, tensile modulus, and elongation at break increases with increase of nanoclay up to 3 phc at the same concentration of PP-g-MA, and then decreases. However, the impact strength of the composites decreases with increased nanoclay loading. Also, the effect of compatibilzer was positive in terms of enhancing the mechanical properties of the composites. The morphology of the nanocomposites has been examined by using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Morphological findings revealed that intercalation form, the sample with 3 phc concentration of clay, which implies the formation of the intercalation morphology and better dispersion than 6 phc, and the d-spacing of clay layers in the composite were improved in the presence of compatibilizer.

Bio-nano reinforcement of environmentally degradable polymer matrix by cellulose whiskers from grass

Cellulose nanofiber reinforced composite exhibits remarkable improvement in properties of many polymer matrixes at low filler concentration. Grass of Korea was treated with acid, and cellulose whiskers (∼ 10 – 60 nm thickness) were extracted after mechanical treatment. The composites were fabricated with poly (lactic acid) in presence of compatibilizer. Comparison of cellulose modification on the structure and properties was carried out by monitoring the functional group variation, thermal behavior, surface morphology, and crystallinity through FT-IR, TGA, SEM, and XRD, respectively. It was found that cellulose whiskers have lower thermal stability than alkali treated long fiber whereas the crystalline nature of composites decreased significantly with concentration of filler.

Thermal properties and microhardness of HDPE/clay nanocomposites compatibilized by different functionalized polyethylenes

The calorimetric characteristics, the flammability, the thermal stability and the microhardness of polyethylene high density/clay nanocomposites (HDPE/clay) have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, determination of limiting oxygen index and microhardness tests. The nanocomposites have been compatibilized by ethylene–acrylic acid copolymer (EAA), acrylic acid grafted HDPE (HDAA) and maleic anhydride grafted HDPE (HDMA). The clay was montmorillonite Cloisite 15A. The influence of the presence and the type of the compatibilizers on the properties of the nanocomposites has been evaluated. The results have shown that the thermal stability, the reduction of the flammability and the microhardness of HDPE/clay nanocomposites, compatibilized by HDAA and HDMA are higher than those for nanocomposite compatibilized by EAA. Moreover, the presence and the type of compatibilizer have negligible effect on the characteristics of the HDPE phase transitions. These results have been interpreted by the better clay dispersion and higher level of clay exfoliation in the presence of compatibilizers HDAA and HDMA, than those in the presence of EAA compatibilizer.

Effects of Reactive Compatibilization on the Morphological, Thermal, Mechanical, and Rheological Properties of Intumescent Flame-Retardant Polypropylene

Flame-retardant polypropylene (PP) samples were in situ compatibilized with maleic anhydride grafted PP. Compatibilization reaction was verified by an IR spectrum and gel content measurements. Electron microscopy images showed that compatibilization could considerably reduce the size of the flame-retardant domains, control the phase morphology, and improve the interfacial adhesion between PP and intumescent flame retardant (IFR) with different IFR loading levels. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) of flame-retardant PP increased to different extents after compatibilization, indicating an improvement in the flame retardancy. Compatibilization enhanced the thermal stability to some extent and remarkably delayed thermal oxidative degradation of flame-retardant PP. For PP containing 20 wt % flame retardant, the temperature at which the maximum weight loss rate occurred was enhanced by about 99 degrees C after compatibilization. The storage modulus and glass transition temperatures were elevated to different extents. Tensile strengths of samples reduced in the presence of flame retardant alone but in the additional presence of compatibilizer were restored to levels similar to those of pure PP. Elongation-at-break values, however, showed IFR concentration-dependent reductions that were less for compatibilized samples. Furthermore, the complex viscosity of a compatibilized PP melt turned slightly smaller, which is favorable to melt processing.

The comparison of the behaviors of polymer/clay nanocomposites based on high density polyethylene and polypropylene in exposure of electron‐irradiation

AbstractThe effect of irradiation on thermal and mechanical properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP)/clay nanocomposites in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene glycol (PPG) for enhancing the clay dispersion into the polymer matrices is considered. The morphology studies show that clay layers satisfactorily expand in the presence of compatibilizers. The irradiation improves the mechanical properties of HDPE nanocomposites at 500 kGy, but it decreases the tensile strength of PP nanocomposites. The addition of PEG markedly ameliorates the mechanical properties of HDPE nanocomposites at 500 kGy, while this improvement is not deduced for PP nanocomposites. The thermogravimetric analysis data show that the irradiation increases the thermal stability of HDPE nanocomposites at the clay content of 5 wt% with and without compatibilizer. The thermal stability of PP nanocomposites descends with the irradiation dose, and the presence of PPG into the PP matrix intensifies this reduction. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers

Water absorption behavior of different types of organophilic montmorillonite‐filled polyamide 6/polypropylene nanocomposites

AbstractThe water absorption behavior of different types of organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT)‐filled polyamide 6/polypropylene nanocomposites with and without compatibilizers (maleated PP or PP‐g‐MA and maleated styrene‐ethylene/butylene‐styrene or SEBS‐g‐MA) was evaluated. Four different types of OMMT, i.e., dodecylamine‐modified MMT (D‐MMT), 12 aminolauric acid‐modified MMT (A‐MMT), stearylamine‐modified MMT (S‐MMT), and commercial organo‐MMT (C‐MMT) were used as reinforcement. The water absorption response of the nanocomposites was studied and analyzed by tensile test and morphology assessment by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The kinetics of water absorption of the nanocomposites conforms to Fick's law. The Mm and D are dependent on the types of OMMT and compatibilizers. The equilibrium water content and diffusivity of PA6/PP blend were increased by the addition of OMMT but decreased in the presence of compatibilizers. On water absorption, both strength and stiffness of the nanocomposites were drastically decreased, but the ductility was remarkably increased. Both PP‐g‐MA and SEBS‐g‐MA played an effective role as compatibilizers for the nanocomposites. This was manifested by their higher retention ability in strength and stiffness (in the wet and re‐dried states), reduced the equilibrium water content, and diffusivity of the nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers

Preparation and characterization of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) based on waste polypropylene and waste ground rubber tire powder

AbstractIn this article, the possibility of obtaining the recycled material based on waste polypropylene (WPP) and waste ground rubber tire powder (WGRT) has been studied. It has been proved that partially replacing WPP with PP-g-MA increased the elongation at break of WPP/WGRT blends, whereas decreased the thermal stability. The presence of compatibilizer increased the elongation at break and thermal stability of WPP/WGRT blends, whereas decreased the processing flowability, as revealed by using universal testing machine (UTM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and capillary rheometer. Moreover, the tendency of the change became more obvious with the content of PP-g-MA and compatibilizer or with the combination of PP-g-MA and compatibilizer. In addition, the improvement of the nonpolar compatibilizer (SEBS) in properties of WPP/WGRT blends was better than that of the polar compatibilizer (SEBS-g-MA).

Studies on morphology, mechanical, thermal, and dynamic mechanical behavior of extrusion blended polypropylene and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer in presence of compatibilizer

AbstractPolypropylene was melt blended in a single screw extruder with thermo tropic Vectra B‐950 liquid crystalline polymer (copolyester amide) in different proportions in presence of 2% of EAA, ethylene‐acrylic acid copolymer (based on PP) as a compatibilizer. The mechanical properties of such compatibilized blends were evaluated and compared in respect of their Young's Modulii, Ultimate tensile strength, percent elongation at break, and toughness to those of Pure PP. The Morphology was studied by using a polarizing light microscope (PLM) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The Thermal characterization of these blends were carried out by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC).The mechanical properties under dynamic conditions of such compatibilized blends and pure PP were studied by dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). Mechanical analysis (Tensile properties) of the compatibilized blends displayed improvements in Modulii and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of PP matrix with the incorporation of 2–10% of LCP incorporation. The development of fine fibrillar morphology in the compatibilized PP/LCP blends had large influence on the mechanical properties. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) studies indicated no remarkable changes in the crystalline melting temperature of the blends with respect to that of pure PP. However, an increase in the softening range of the blends over that of PP was observed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009

Bionanocomposites of Grass

Cellulose nano whiskers (CNW) are recently known for their tremendous applicability in development of eco-friendly material for various applications. Present attempt was aimed to extract the nano crystals of cellulose from grass of Korea and fabricate the composites with poly (lactic acid) in presence of compatibilizer after modification. Functional group variation, thermal behavior, surface morphology, and crystallinity were monitored by FT-IR, TGA, SEM, and XRD respectively. The water sensitivity measurements were also carried out for study of moisture resistance of composites. It was found that CNW have lower thermal stability than alkali treated long fiber whereas the crystalline nature of composites decreased significantly. The effect of modification of whiskers on the mechanical properties was also discussed in which increase in modulus was observed.

Effects of nanoparticle treatment and compatibilizers on the properties of (PP/EPR)/nano-CaCO3 blends

Effects of nanoparticle surface treatment and compatibilizers (PEP and EPR-g-MAH) on the mechanical behavior, rheological and morphological properties of (PP/EPR)/CaCO3 blends were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Blends of various compositions (with and without compatibilizer and nanoparticles) were prepared using a corotating twin-screw extruder. The results demonstrated that the dispersion of nano-CaCO3 depends on surface-treating agent (Stearic acid or Fatty acids). The presence of the nanoparticles and the compatibilizers does not modify significantly thermal and rheological properties. But, EPR-g-MAH copolymer seems to modify the interface between PP and EPR phases and increase the size of EPR particles. The study of mechanical properties (tensile and impact tests) shows the presence of compatibilizers in (PP/EPR) blends; especially PEP significantly increases the deformation and the energy at break. But the reduction of the elongation at break and the impact strength respectively of 7 and 30% seems to be due to lower adhesion between the nanoparticles and the (PP/EPR) matrix.

Thermal degradation and crystallisation studies of reactively compatibilised polymer blends

The thermal degradation and crystallisation behaviours of polyamide12/isotactic polypropylene (PA12/PP) blends were studied. Effects of blend ratio and compatibiliser concentration on the thermal degradation properties of the blends were analysed. The activation energy for degradation in compatibilised and uncompatibilised blends computed using Horowitz–Metzger equation was reported. The blend ratio as well as the presence of compatibiliser has significant effect on the thermal stability of the blends. Phase morphology was found to be one of the decisive factors that affected the thermal stability of both uncompatibilised and compatibilised blends. Melting and crystallisation behaviours of the blends in the presence and absence of compatibiliser were evaluated. It was observed that blending has no significant effect on the melting and crystallisation properties of PA12 and PP. Compatibilisation of 70/30 and 50/50 PA12/PP blends didn't affect the crystallisation and melting behaviours of PA12 and PP even though some discrepancies were observed.

Melting and crystallization behaviors of compatibilized poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene blends

AbstractThe melting and crystallization behaviors of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) blends were investigated with and without epoxy or styrene–butadiene–maleic anhydride copolymer (SBM) as a reactive compatibilizer. The existence of two separate composition‐dependent glass‐transition temperatures (Tg's) indicated that PTT was partially miscible with ABS over the entire composition range. The melting temperature of the PTT phase in the blends was also composition dependent and shifted to lower temperatures with increasing ABS content. Both the cold crystallization temperature and Tg of the PTT phase moved to higher temperatures in the presence of compatibilizers, which indicated their compatibilization effects on the blends. A crystallization exotherm of the PTT phase was noticed for all of the PTT/ABS blends. The crystallization behaviors were completely different at low and high ABS contents. When ABS was 0–50 wt %, the crystallization process of PTT shifted slightly to higher temperatures as the ABS content was increased. When ABS was 60 wt % or greater, PTT showed fractionated crystallization. The effects of both the epoxy and SBM compatibilizers on the crystallization of PTT were content dependent. At a lower contents of 1–3 wt % epoxy or 1 wt % SBM, the crystallization was retarded, whereas at a higher content of 5 wt %, the crystallization was accelerated. The crystallization kinetics were analyzed with a modified Avrami equation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008

Mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of in situ ternary composites based on poly(ether imide), silicone rubber and liquid crystalline polymer

A compatibilization method for improving the mechanical and thermal properties of thermoplastic/thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) blends has been tested in blends of poly(ether imide), PEI, with a thermotropic copolyester (Vectra B-950). It is based on the addition of a third component, a functionalized elastomer (hydroxy terminated silicone rubber), to the blend that interacts with the matrix polymer and the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer, facilitates the structural development of the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers (TLCP) phase by acting as a compatibilizer at the interface. The main properties of blends required are flexibility of material in presence of compatibilizer. The viscosity of the compatibilized in situ composite was increased by the silicone rubber owing to the strong interaction. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of PEI/TLCP blend becomes lowered when the content of silicone rubber is increased. Morphological observation showed that the addition of compatibilizer significantly reduced the size of the dispersed LCP phase and improved their dispersion within the matrix. Measurement of the tensile properties shows increased strength as well as enhanced modulus and elongation when PEI/TLCP blend is properly compatibilized. This is attributed to fine fibril generation induced by the addition of compatibilizer.

Desenvolvimento de nanocompósitos de poliamida6/polietileno/argila organofílica: o efeito do compatibilizante PE-g-MA no comportamento reológico da mistura

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do compatibilizante PE-g-MA (5 e 10%) no comportamento reológico de nanocompósitos de poliamida6/polietileno/argila organofílica, onde a argila foi tratada com um sal quaternário de amônio (Cetremide). Em geral, observou-se que a presença do compatibilizante aumentou o torque da mistura de PA6/PE e que a presença da argila organofílica (2%) sem o compatibilizante não pareceu alterar o comportamento do torque da mistura. Por outro lado, para o nanocompósito com 10% em peso de compatibilizante e com a argila organofílica, verificou-se um aumento significativo do torque em relação às outras misturas, evidenciando maior interação da argila organofílica com as matrizes poliméricas, isto é, maior viscosidade do sistema, promovida provavelmente pela presença do compatibilizante. Os resultados de difração de raio X mostraram que os sistemas apresentaram estrutura intercalada e/ou esfoliada.

Environmentally degradable LLDPE/esterified styrene-maleic anhydride (ESMA) blends

LLDPE was blended with esterified styrene-maleic anhydride (ESMA) to improve the environmental degradation characteristics of LLDPE. ESMA was synthesized by esterifying styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) with n-decanol. LLDPE was blended with ESMA (EDP blends) and SMA separately in a single screw extruder by melt mixing. Composition of ESMA was varied from 20 to 40 wt% in the blends. LLDPE grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (LLDPE-g-GMA) was used as compatibilizer to improve the compatibility. Scanning electron photomicrograph (SEM) of cryofractured impact specimens showed significant reduction in domain size and uniform distribution of ESMA in LLDPE matrix in presence of compatibilizer in 70/30 blends. Environmental degradability was assessed by subjecting the films to soil burial test and exposure to buffer solution of different pH. Environmental degradation was followed by measuring the periodic change in weight of the blend samples. Films were exposed to accelerated and natural weathering and photodegradation was assessed by noting the embrittlement time of the film. Films of compatibilized blends fragmented at a faster rate than the films of uncompatibilized blend. Carbonyl index of films subjected to natural weathering was also found to be higher than that for the virgin LLDPE films.

Mechanical and morphological study of polyphenylene sulfide/liquid crystalline polymer blends compatibilized with a maleic anhydride grafted copolymer

AbstractBlends of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCPA‐950), based on a copolyester of hydroxynapthoic acid and hydroxybenzoic acid with an engineering thermoplastic, poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS), were prepared using a corotating twin‐screw extruder. Addition of a third component, a functionalized polypropylene (maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene, MA‐PP), that interact with the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) facilitates the structural development of the TLCP phase by acting as a compatibilizer at the interface. Differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis results, however, show that there is an interaction between the polymers in the presence of compatibilizer. This means that MA‐PP can be used as a compatibilizer for the PPS/LCP in situ composite system. The viscosity of the compatibilized in situ composite was decreased by the compatibilizer, and this is mainly due to the fibrous structure of the LCP at the high shear rate. The mechanical properties of the ternary blends were increased when a proper amount of MA‐PP was added. This is attributed to fine fibril generation induced by the addition of MA‐PP. Morphological observations determined the significance of the third component in immiscible polymer blends, and an optimum amount of MA‐PP exists for the best mechanical performance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007

Synthesis of a random copolymer and its compatibility for thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer/poly(ether ether ketone) blends

AbstractA random copolymer (RCP) containing poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) segments was synthesized. Its chemical structure and liquid crystalline properties were characterized by FT‐IR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polar light microscopy (PLM) respectively. A single glass transition temperature (Tg) at 134.0°C, a melting temperature (Tm) at 282.0°C and a temperature of ignition (Ti) at 331.3°C can be observed. Blends of PEEK and TLCP with and without RCP as compatibilizer were prepared by extrusion and the effect of RCP on the thermal properties, dynamic mechanical properties, morphology and static tensile mechanical properties of blends was investigated by means of DSC, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), etc. Dynamic mechanical measurements indicated that there appeared to be only a single tan δ peak resulting from the glass transition of the PEEK‐rich phase and the Tg value shifted towards higher temperature due to the presence of compatibilizer, as suggested partial compatibility. Morphological investigations showed that the addition of RCP to binary blends reduced the dispersed phase size and improved the interfacial adhesion between the two phases. The ternary compatibilized blends showed enhanced tensile modulus compared to their binary blends without RCP. The strain at break decreased for the ternary blends due to embrittlement of the matrix by the incorporation of some RCP to the matrix phase. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Agro-residue reinforced high-density polyethylene composites: Fiber characterization and analysis of composite properties

Abstract The main objective of this research was to study the potential of agro-residues such as wheat straw, cornstalk and corncob as reinforcements for thermoplastics as an alternative to wood fibers. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were prepared with a high content of agro-residues (65 wt.%). Surface chemistry of agro-residues was studied in comparison with wood flour with a view to evaluate its importance in determining the end-use properties of the composites. Surface chemistry showed a more carbon rich surface for wheat straw compared to cornstalk, corncob and wood flour. Thermal degradation characteristics of the fibers were studied to investigate the feasibility of these fibers to the processing point of view. The results showed that the agro-residues starts decomposition as low as 200 °C indicating that they can be processed with thermoplastics having a melt temperature less than 200 °C. Mechanical properties and water absorption properties of the composites were studied to evaluate the viability of these fibers as reinforcements in HDPE. Wheat straw filled HDPE composites exhibited superior mechanical properties compared to cornstalk, corncob and even wood flour filled HDPE, where as cornstalk showed comparable mechanical properties to that of wood flour–HDPE composite. All the composites exhibited a high uptake of water due to the high amount of filler present and incorporation of compatibilizer decreased the water uptake of the composites. It was observed that irrespective of the presence of compatibilizers, flexural properties of the composites were decreased considerably after water absorption.