The impact of the nature of nanoclay on physical and mechanical properties of polypropylene/reed flour nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, the effect of nanoclay on the physical and mechanical properties of nanocomposites was investigated. Composites based on polypropylene, reed fiber, coupling agent (maleated polypropylene, MAPP) and nanoclay were made by melt compounding and then injection molding. The mass ratio of reed fiber to polypropylene was controlled at 60/40 for all blends. The concentration was varied and set to 0, 2 and 4 per hundred compounds (phc) for nanoclay and 0 and 2 phc for MAPP. Results indicated that the tensile modulus and strength of PP/reed flour composites significantly increased with nanoclay loading. However, the impact strength and water uptake of the composites decreased by addition of nanoclay. Finally, the mechanical and physical analyses showed that the biggest improvement of these properties can be achieved for the nanoclay loading at 4 phc. The morphology of the nanocomposites has been examined by using X-ray diffraction. The morphological findings revealed that intercalation from the sample with 4 phc concentration of clay, which implies the formation of intercalation morphology and better dispersion, and the d-spacing of clay layers were improved in the composite in the presence of MAPP. Additionally, the coupling agent improved the mechanical and physical properties of the composites.