Dynamic mechanical properties of PP/MMT/OMMT nanocomposites

Abstract

This paper addresses the effect of nanoclays of two different nanoclays of montmorillonite (MMT) and organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) on morphology and dynamic mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP). The preparation of polymer nanocomposites by using a co-rotating twin screw extruder at filler loadings of 1, 3, 5 and 7 weight % using melt compounding PP with MMT and OMMT using polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-mA) as compatibilizer is described. First stage compositions with MMT content by different weight ratio PP/MMT nanocomposites were prepared and tested. Second stage compositions with OMMT content by different weight ratio PP/OMMT nanocomposites were prepared and tested. Third stage both combined MMT and OMMT equally mixed content by different weight ratio PP/MMT/OMMT nanocomposites were prepared and tested. Dynamic mechanical Analysis (DMA) indicated significant improvement in the storage modulus and loss modulus compared with neat PP.