Open AccessReactive Extrusion of Maleic-Anhydride-Grafted Polypropylene by Torque Rheometer and Its Application as Compatibilizer
Author(s) -
Asra Tariq,
Nasir M. Ahmad,
Muhammad Asad Abbas,
HM Fayzan Shakir,
Zubair Khaliq,
Sikander Rafiq,
Zulfiqar Ali,
Abdelhamid Elaı̈ssari
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
polymers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.77
H-Index - 73
ISSN - 2073-4360
DOI - 10.3390/polym13040495
Subject(s) - reactive extrusion , maleic anhydride , polypropylene , benzoyl peroxide , melt flow index , materials science , grafting , rheometer , polymer chemistry , crystallinity , chemical engineering , composite material , extrusion , polymerization , copolymer , rheology , polymer , engineering
This study is based upon the functionalization of polypropylene (PP) by radical polymerization to optimize its properties by influencing its molecular weight. Grafting of PP was done at different concentrations of maleic anhydride (MAH) and benzoyl peroxide (BPO). The effect on viscosity during and after the reaction was studied by torque rheometer and melt flow index. Results showed that a higher concentration of BPO led to excessive side-chain reactions. At a high percentage of grafting, lower molecular weight product was produced, which was analyzed by viscosity change during and after the reaction. Percentage crystallinity increased by grafting due to the shorter chains, which consequently led to an improvement in the chain's packing. Prepared Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAH-g-PP) enhanced interactions in PP-PET blends caused a partially homogeneous blend with less voids.