The Effect of Carbon Black on Thermal and Flammability Properties of Polypropylene/Clay Nanocomposites

Abstract

Study on the effect of carbon black (CB) on Polypropylene (PP)/clay was done as the drawbacks of the composite thermal and flammability properties for certain application. The effects of CB on PP/clay were studied by varying CB content at 3, 5, and 7 percent hundred resin (phr). The composites were prepared by melt mixing using internal mixer at 222 °C, 83 rpm, and 10 minutes. PP-grafted-Maleic Anhydride (PP-g-MA) was used as a compatibilizer to facilitate dispersion of clay layers and CB particles on PP matrix. The effects of CB on thermal properties were analyzed from Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA) data. Meanwhile flammability properties was observed from burning rate that was confirmed by dispersion level from morphological analysis. The result showed that clay and CB enhanced the degree of crystallinity (Xc) of neat PP, with the highest Xc was achieved at 3 phr of CB. There was a negative correlation between Xc and Initial temperature decomposition (T5wt%) that attributed to thermal conductivity. Moreover, the addition of clay and CB changed dripping behavior of neat PP due to increment of melt viscosity and decreased burning rate because of dispersion of CB that might improve radical trap action.