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Properties of polypropylene/aluminum trihydroxide composites containing nanosized organoclay
Author(s) -
Ristolainen Noora,
Hippi Ulla,
Seppälä Jukka,
Nykänen Antti,
Ruokolainen Janne
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.20367
Subject(s) - materials science , organoclay , polypropylene , composite material , compatibilization , maleic anhydride , cone calorimeter , flammability , fire retardant , nanocomposite , montmorillonite , ultimate tensile strength , copolymer , polymer blend , chemical engineering , polymer , char , pyrolysis , engineering
Montmorillonite is a promising substitute for aluminum trihydroxide in flame‐retardant polypropylene/aluminum trihydroxide (PP/ATH) composites. Study was made of the partial substitution of organoclay for ATH in PP/ATH composites. The total concentration of filler was kept at 30 wt%. The composites were compatibilized with two types of compatibilizer: commercial maleic anhydride functionalized polypropylene (PP‐ g ‐MA) and hydroxyl‐functionalized polypropylene (PP‐ co ‐OH) prepared with metallocene catalyst. The effect of compatibilization on the morphology was studied by the transmission electron microscopy and the scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical properties were characterized by tensile and impact measurements, and flammability properties with a cone calorimeter. Addition of compatibilizer and stearic acid (SA) treatment of the ATH particles contributed to the dispersion of the fillers. Both compatibilizers produced organoclay with exfoliated structure and improved adhesion between the fillers and the matrix. Toughness improved and decomposition and flammability were reduced. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 45:1568–1575, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers