Effect of maleic‐anhydride‐grafted polypropylene as a compatibilizer on the properties of polypropylene/(modified carbon black) composites

Maleic‐anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (PP‐ g ‐MAH) was added, as a compatibilizer, to polypropylene (PP) composites filled with a hindered phenol and modified carbon black (CB). The interaction between the modified CB and PP‐ g ‐MAH, as proved by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, had a beneficial effect on the mechanical properties of the PP/(modified CB) composites and prevented the sharp decrease of the mechanical properties of these composites at higher filler concentration. The storage modulus of PP/(modified CB) was increased significantly by the incorporation of PP‐ g ‐MAH, especially when the temperature was lower than 0°C. When the content of PP‐ g ‐MAH was 5 wt% and the loading of the modified CB was 2 wt%, the best tensile strength was obtained. The system showed the best flexural strength and impact strength when the loading of the modified CB was 1 wt%. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers