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Influence of nucleation and growth mechanisms on the heat deflection temperature of a reactively processed polypropylene nanocomposite
Author(s) -
Bandyopadhyay Jayita,
Mekoa Caroline,
Makwakwa Dimakatso,
Skosana Sifiso,
Ray Suprakas Sinha
Publication year - 2021
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.25666
Subject(s) - materials science , vicat softening point , polypropylene , nucleation , differential scanning calorimetry , nanocomposite , crystallization , heat deflection temperature , composite material , softening point , softening , calorimetry , chemical engineering , thermodynamics , izod impact strength test , ultimate tensile strength , physics , engineering
The development of a reactively processed polypropylene nanocomposite (PPNC) with consequential improvements in the heat deflection temperature (HDT), Vicat softening temperature (VST), and crystallization peak temperature ( T c ) is reported herein. Neat PP without nanoclay was also reactively processed to elucidate the effects of fillers on the improvement in physical properties. The results show a considerable improvement in the HDT of PPNC (77.9 °C) compared to those of neat PP (62.6 °C) and reactively processed branched PP (BPP; 69.2 °C). Moreover, the T c of PP in PPNC improved by ~14% compared to that of neat PP. Various models of nonisothermal crystallization kinetics were employed to elucidate the nucleation and crystal growth mechanisms, and to correlate them with the observed HDT improvement in PPNC. Thermal transitions investigated by modulated differential scanning calorimetry explained the changes observed in the VSTs of all the samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a significant improvement in HDT along with a marked increase in Tc . Such simultaneous improvements in HDT, VST, and T c are highly desirable for applications involving the use of PP‐based materials in rigid packaging.