Characterization of Mechanical and Thermal Properties of PP/Mineral Composites

Abstract

The paper presents the impact of the use of fillers on the mechanical properties of composites with polymeric matrix from polypropylene (PP). Two main types of mineral fillers - talc and calcium carbonate - were used for experiments. PP composites of different percentage filler in matrix PP were compounded with twin-screw extruder and then injection molding. Properties of composites were investigated by tensile test and thermal analysis. Tensile strength was performed to determine and compare the mechanical properties of the unfilled PP and filled PP with various percentages of fillers. Thermal analysis by thermogravimetric was performed on the tested materials - weight loss, glass transition temperature, thermal decomposition, melting temperature.