Effect of compatibilisers on mechanical and thermal properties of bentonite filled polypropylene composites

Bentonite filled polypropylene composites were prepared using a Polydrive Thermo Haake, internal mixer at 180 � C and at 50 rpm of rotor speed. Effect of compatibilisers on mechanical, thermal, water absorption and morphological properties of bentonite filled polypropylene composites was investigated. Two types of compatibilisers namely, palm oil fatty acid additive (POFA) and polypropylene grafted-maleic anhydride (PPMAH) have been used in this study. The mixing of the composites improved with the addition of POFA. The impact strength and elongation at break increased with the presence of both compatibilisers whilst, tensile strength and Young’s modulus improved only with addition of PPMAH. Morphological investigation using SEM revealed that the improvement in impact strength and elongation at break was due to enhancement of the interfacial adhesion between bentonite and PP. The thermal stability of bentonite filled PP improved with the incorporation of POFA and PPMAH. Less percentage of water absorption has been observed in PPebentonite system with PPMAH. 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[1]  U. Ishiaku,et al.  A New Rubber Ingredient Based on Palm Oil Fatty Acid , 1999 .

[2]  Sabu Thomas,et al.  Effects of environment on the properties of low-density polyethylene composites reinforced with pineapple-leaf fibre , 1998 .

[3]  H. Ismail,et al.  Preliminary Study on Application of Bentonite as a Filler in Polypropylene Composites , 2004 .

[4]  H. Ismail.  The Effects of a “Palm Oil” Faiiy Acid Additive and a Silane Coupling Agent on the Curing Characteristics and Vulcanizate Properties of Silica-Filled Natural Rubber Compounds , 1999 .

[5]  M. Rabello,et al.  Thermal stability of nanocomposites based on polypropylene and bentonite , 2005 .

[6]  Z. Ishak,et al.  Effects of filler treatments on the mechanical, flow, thermal, and morphological properties of talc and calcium carbonate filled polypropylene hybrid composites , 2005 .

[7]  K. Rao,et al.  Interfacial interactions and mechanical properties of mineral filled polymer composites: wollastonite in PMMA polymer matrix , 1998 .

[8]  Jihuai Wu,et al.  Study on starch-graft-acrylamide/mineral powder superabsorbent composite , 2003 .

[9]  W. Qiu,et al.  EFFECT OF MACROMOLECULAR COUPLING AGENT ON THE PROPERTY OF PP/GF COMPOSITES , 1999 .

[10]  M. Shui.  Polymer surface modification and characterization of particulate calcium carbonate fillers , 2003 .

[11]  Carmen Albano,et al.  Polypropylene/wood flour composites: treatments and properties , 2001 .

[12]  J. Karger‐Kocsis,et al.  Polypropylene : structure, blends and composites , 1995 .

[13]  Andrzej K. Bledzki,et al.  Properties and modification methods for vegetable fibers for natural fiber composites , 1996 .

[14]  H. Unal.  Morphology and mechanical properties of composites based on polyamide 6 and mineral additives , 2004 .

[15]  Yong Zhang,et al.  Ink-eliminated waste paper sludge flour-filled polypropylene composites with different coupling agent treatments , 2003 .

[16]  I. Janigová,et al.  Plasma treatment of particulate polymer composites for analyses by scanning electron microscopy: II. A study of highly filled polypropylene/calcium carbonate composites , 1999 .

[17]  H. Ismail,et al.  Palm Oil Fatty Acid Additives (POFA's): Preparation and Application , 1998 .

[18]  B. Pukánszky,et al.  Effect of surface coverage of silane treated CaCO3 on the tensile properties of polypropylene composites , 1997 .

[19]  A. Błędzki,et al.  Composites reinforced with cellulose based fibres , 1999 .

[20]  H. Ismail,et al.  Palm Oil Fatty Acid as an Activator in Natural Rubber Gum Compounds , 1998 .

[21]  H. Elias.  Blends and Composites , 1984 .

[22]  S. Chavan,et al.  Effect of maleic anhydride treatment on steam and water absorption of wood polymer composites prepared from wheat straw, cane bagasse, and teak wood sawdust using Novolac as matrix , 2000 .

[23]  R. Dunk,et al.  The effect of crystallinity on the properties of injection moulded polypropylene and polyacetal , 1988 .

[24]  H. Essawy,et al.  The Effect of Surface Treatment of Bentonite on the Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene–Bentonite Composites , 2004 .

[25]  J. Huetink,et al.  Toughening of polypropylene with calcium carbonate particles , 2001 .

[26]  H. Ismail,et al.  A Comparative Study on Processing, Mechanical Properties, Thermo-oxidative Aging, Water Absorption, and Morphology of Rice Husk Powder and Silica Fillers in Polystyrene/Styrene Butadiene Rubber Blends , 2003 .

[27]  F. Maurer,et al.  Effect of nucleation, filler anisotropy and orientation on the properties of PP composites , 1994 .