Fabrication and Mechanical Characterization of Polypropylene Clay Nanocomposites

Abstract

Investigating the influence of process parameters is vital to improve the mechanical properties of nanoparticle reinforced polymer nanocomposites. In this effort, nanocomposites of polypropylene/nanoclay are prepared by the extrusion method. In order to characterize the mechanical behavior of nanocomposites over different compounding ratios, samples are prepared with 5 and 10 wt%. Effect of re-extrusion and PP-g-MA compatibilizer on the tensile performance of nanocomposites is evaluated at different strain rates. XRD evaluation of compounds indicated that re-extrusion is an important factor in increasing the exfoliation degree.