Tang Y, Hu Y, Zhang R, Wang ZZ, Gui Z, Chen ZY, Fan WC (2004d) Investigation into poly(propylene)/montmorillonite/calcium carbonate nanocomposites. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 289(2), 191-197. [In English]
Web link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mame.200300157
Keywords:
calcium carbonate; montmorillonite; nanocomposites; poly(propylene); layered-silicate nanocomposites; polypropylene-clay hybrids; mechanical-properties; toughening mechanisms; flammability; polymer; intercalation
Abstract: A novel method was used to prepare poly(propylene)/montmorillonite/calcium carbonate nanocomposites by melt-mixing, using pristine montmorillonite (MMT), hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C16), calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and a matrix in a twin-screw extruder. Two different sizes of calcium carbonate were used (nanosized CaCO3 and micron-sized CaCO3, the average sizes being 60 nm and 12 pm respectively). The nanocomposite structure was evidenced using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution electronic microscopy (HREM). Tensile tests and Izod notch impact tests suggested that the incorporation of nanosized CaCO3 into PP/ montmorillonite nanocomposites increased the mechanical properties of the composites, but the improvement in the microsized CaCO3-filled PP/montmorillonite nanocomposites was found to be minimal. The thermal stability and flammability properties were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and a cone calorimeter respectively.
