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Investigation of the microstructures, properties, and toughening mechanism of polypropylene/calcium carbonate toughening masterbatch composites
Author(s) -
Lu QiCheng,
Dou Qiang
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.45515
Subject(s) - materials science , masterbatch , composite material , izod impact strength test , polypropylene , ultimate tensile strength , crystallinity , composite number , flexural strength , scanning electron microscope , flexural modulus , dynamic mechanical analysis , microstructure , nanocomposite , polymer
The morphologies, crystallization and melting behaviors, and mechanical, thermal and processing properties of polypropylene (PP)/CaCO 3 toughening masterbatch (CTM) composites were investigated. The good dispersion of CaCO 3 particles via appropriate surface encapsulation in the composites is proven by density measurements and scanning electron microscopy images. The crystallinity and tensile strength of PP decrease with the addition of CTM. The flexural modulus and storage modulus ( E ′) at 23 °C increase with CTM content, implying improved stiffness. A sharp increase in the Izod notched impact strength can be observed for the composites, and the critical ligament thickness (τ c ) is calculated to be 1.31 and 2.46 μm for PP (S1003) and PP (001 G) composites, respectively. The morphologies of the impact‐fractured surfaces of the specimens were observed, and the shear deformation is enhanced by the addition of CTM. The presence of CTM also increases the melt flowability and decreases the shrinkage of the composites. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 45515.