Vibration-assisted melt compounding of polypropylene/carbon black composites: Processability, filler dispersion and mechanical properties

Abstract

Composites of polypropylene and carbon black were melt compounded by a vibration-assisted process. For comparison, conventional extrusion was also used for preparation of the same composites. A throughput of the vibration-assisted process was established to be higher than that of conventional extrusion. Microscopic images of the extrudates demonstrated better dispersion of the fillers when the vibration force field was applied. The mechanical properties and viscoelastic behavior of the composites were studied and the results were discussed in the context of the reinforcing action of the fillers and the higher level of polypropylene chain scission accompanying the vibration-assisted process.