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In this work, a reactive high flow polypropylene, PP800 ([η.sub.0] = 40 Pa s, 190°C), is extruded with a commercial compound of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene random copolymer ([η.sub.0] = 3000 Pa s, 190°C). On one hand, the fluidity of resulting blends is highly increased but, on the other hand, matrix degradation leads to a strong decrease of the impact behavior and tensile strain. Then, the addition of 10 wt% of propylene-based copolymer (PBC) leads to a very interesting impact enhancement while keeping high fluidity. A study of morphological, thermal, and dynamical thermal mechanical properties reveal the anchoring of semi crystalline propylene segments of PBC droplets at the interface with the PP matrix. On the contrary, the addition of ethylene-based copolymer (EBC) is not able to restore satisfactory impact properties., INTRODUCTION During the last seven decades, polypropylene (PP) has been one of the most studied thermoplastics because of its great versatility, easy processing and relative low cost. Many enhancements have [...]

The structure and properties of polypropylene (PP) and ethylene propylene copolymer (EPR) blends filled with nanosilica have been investigated. The nanocomposites were prepared via direct melt mixing using high shear corotating twin screw extruder. The effects of the process as well as adding amaleated-Polyethylene MAPE compatibilizer were assessed by morphology studies, thermal analysis and mechanical testing. From SEM and TEM investigations, a separate dispersion of filler and rubber in the PP matrix prevails in the PP/EPR/Si[O.sub.2] systems. Encapsulation of the filler particles into the elastomer takes place when MAPE is used, promoting filler/polymer interactions and resulting in a simultaneous improvement in stiffness and toughness. Interestingly, the results indicated that high-shear processing is an effective method to improve the dispersion of the EPR phase and fillers through the matrix. The dispersed phase droplet size was reduced with the increase of the shear rate by varying the screw rotation speed from 300 to 800 rpm, which induces a high shear stress exerted on the materials. To sum up, what is expected from an efficient compatibilization-process association is the reduction of the dispersed elastomer domains characteristic size, their stabilization by creation of an interphase and thus, enhanced mechanical properties., INTRODUCTION Among the different polymer materials, the use of thermoplastic olefins as polypropylene (PP) is currently growing especially in the automotive sector due to their relevant properties such as low [...]

Polypropylene/fumed hydrophilic silica nanocomposites were prepared via melt mixing method using a single-screw extruder. Comparative study with and without compatibilizing copolymer agent (maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene: PP-g-AM) was conducted. The obtained results were interpreted in terms of silica nanoparticle-silica nanoparticle and silica nanoparticle-polymer interactions. These results have shown that the addition of nanofillers improves the properties of the nanocomposites. From transmission electron microscopy, it was found that agglomerations of silica particles into the PP matrix increased in average size with increasing silica contents, except in presence of the copolymer. Storage modulus values of the nanocomposites measured by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis were sensitive to the microstructure of the nanocomposites. Higher silica contents resulted in higher storage modulus, revealing that the material became stiffer. By adding the compatibilizer, a further increase of storage modulus was observed due to the finer dispersion of the filler in the matrix and the increased interfacial adhesion. Crystallization rates were found to increase with the increase of silica nanoparticles as well as PP-gMA content. In addition, silica nanoparticles and the compatibilizing agent present centers of germination and nucleation of crystallites. Thus, the use of the coupling agent resulted in a further enhancement of mechanical properties of the nanocomposites due to the reduction of silica agglomeration., INTRODUCTION Over the past decades, there has been a notable progress in the science and technology of polymer nanocomposites. This innovative class of materials made up of organic polymer composites [...]

Blends of recycled poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) parts obtained from scrapped cars, and virgin polypropylene (PP), were prepared in a twin-screw extruder at different compositions. Selected compositions were also prepared with the presence of ethylene-co-glycidyl meth-acrylate copolymer (E-GMA) and ethylene/methyl acry-late/glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer (E-MA-GMA) com-patibilizers. The effect of the composition and the type of compatibilizer, as well as the mixing conditions, on the morphology phase, thermal, viscoelastic behavior, and mechanical properties of the blends has been investigated. Blends PP/PBT of various composition exhibit a coarse morphology and a poor adherence between both phases, resulting in the decrease of ductility, whereas at weak deformation, PBT reinforced the tensile properties of PP. Addition of E-GMA and E-MA-GMA to the PP/PBT blend exhibited a significant change in morphology and improved ductility because of interfacial reactions between PBT end chains and epoxy groups of GMA that generate EG-g-PBT copolymer. Moreover, thermal and viscoelastic study indicated that the miscibility of PP and PBT has been improved further and the reactions were identified. The E-MA-GMA results in the best improvement of ductility. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 48:1592-1599, 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers, INTRODUCTION The recycling of postconsumer plastic wastes has been a focus of attention in the past decade (1), and may be explained by limited natural resources, rising waste-handling costs, and [...]

Reactive extrusion is an attractive green route for cost-effective polymer processing, which has the potential to enhance the commercial viability of biomass-derived materials. In reactive extrusion, compatibilizers can be generated in the blend preparation through polymer-polymer grafting reactions using functionalized polymers. One very interesting new green strategy for processing is the use of intense UV-irradiation to create free radicals and controllable, ultra-fast reactions. It is reasonable to expect that the use of extrusion/irradiation green technology will be an important way to improve properties and compatibility of renewable biomass-derived polymers. We believe that in the future, many more cost-effective, sustainable extrusion/irradiation reaction processes will be developed to replace inefficient conventional biomass conversion procedures and stimulate the bioproduct-based industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]