Abstract
Polymer nanocomposites containing 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 wt% of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in a polypropylene (PP) matrix were studied in relation to their low and high velocity impact performances. PP nanocomposites reinforced MWNTs were prepared via melt compounding in an internal mixer followed by injection molding. Transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed well dispersed 1 wt% MWNT in the polymer nanocomposites. The same analysis showed agglomeration and cluster formation in 1.5 wt% MWNT specimens. Results showed increase in Izod impact strength in nanocomposites containing 1 wt% MWNT, which attained the highest value (with 33.4 % increment). A single stage gas gun was used to carry out high velocity impact test in velocity range of 20–150 m/s using hard steel hemispherical tip projectile of 11.34 g weight and 8.1 mm diameter. Results showed better ballistic limit velocity (the average of highest impact velocity causing perforation but unable to go through and lowest impact velocities with no residual velocity recording) and energy absorption for specimens, each containing 1 wt% MWNT, showing the highest value (with 100 % increment), compared with neat PP. Considerable increases were observed in tensile and flexural strengths and modulus for the MWNT-containing specimens as compared with neat PP.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hambir S, Bulakh N, Kodgire P, Kalgaonkar R, Jog JP (2001) PP/clay nanocomposites: a study of crystallization and dynamic mechanical behavior. J Polym Sci Polym Phys 39:446–450
Li X, Huang Y, Li J (2006) Study on synthesis and dispersion characteristics of MWNTs/PBO composites prepared by in situ polymerization. Iran Polym J 15:317–322
Fereidoon A, Ghorbanzadeh Ahangari M, Saedodin S (2008) Thermal and structural behaviors of polypropylene nanocomposites reinforced with single-walled carbon nanotubes by melt processing method. J Macromol Sci Part B Phys 48:196–211
Shokrieh MM, Rafiee R (2012) Development of a full range multi-scale model to obtain elastic properties of CNT/polymer composites. Iran Polym J 21:397–402
Ayatollahi MR, Shokrieh M, Shadlou Sh, Kefayati AR, Chitsazzadeh M (2011) Mechanical and electrical properties of epoxy/multi-walled carbon nanotube/nanoclay nanocomposites. Iran Polym J 20:835–843
Valentini L, Biagiotti J, Kenny JM, Santucci S (2003) Morphological characterization of single-walled carbon nanotubes-PP composites. Compos Sci Technol 63:1149–1153
Logakis E, Pollatos E, Pandis Ch, Peoglos V, Zuburtikudis I, Delides CG, Vatalis A, Gjoka M, Syskakis E, Viras K, Pissis P (2010) Structure–property relationships in isotactic polypropylene/multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites. Compos Sci Technol 70:328–335
Hajibaba A, Naderi Gh, Ghoreishy M, Bakhshandeh Gh, Nouri M (2012) Effect of single-walled carbon nanotubes on morphology and mechanical properties of NBR/PVC blends. Iran Polym J 21:505–511
Yang J, Lin Y, Wang J, Lai M, Li J, Liu J, Tong X, Cheng H (2005) Morphology, thermal stability, and dynamic mechanical properties of atactic polypropylene/carbon nanotube composites. J Appl Polym Sci 98:1087–1091
Balow MJ (2003) Handbook of polypropylene and polypropylene composites. CRC Press, New York 1
Garton A, Kim SW, Wiles DM (1982) Modification of the interface morphology in mica-reinforced polypropylene. J Polym Sci Polym Lett 20:273–278
Kaynak A, Polat A, Yilmazer U (1996) Some microwave and mechanical properties of carbon fiber-polypropylene and carbon black-polypropylene composites. Mater Res Bull 31:1195–1206
Yakobson BI, Brabec CJ, Bernholc J (1996) Nanomechanics of carbon tubes: instabilities beyond linear response. Phys Rev Lett 76:2511–2514
Lu JP (1997) Elastic properties of carbon nanotubes and nanoropes. Phys Rev Lett 79:1297–1300
Cornwell F, Wille LT (1997) Elastic properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes in compression. Solid State Commun 101:555–558
Fereidoon A, Ghorbanzadeh Ahangari M, Saedodin S (2009) A DSC study on the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of polypropylene/single-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposite. Polym Plast Technol Eng 48:579–586
Bao SP, Tjong SC (2007) Mechanical behaviors of polypropylene/carbon nanotube nanocomposites: the effects of loading rate and temperature. Mater Sci Eng A 485:508–516
Yu F, Files BS, Arepalli S, Ruoff RS (2000) Tensile loading of ropes of single wall carbon nanotubes and their mechanical properties. Phys Rev Lett 84:5552–5555
Hemmati M, Rahimi GH, Kaganj AB, Sepehri S, Rashidi AM (2008) Rheological and mechanical characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polypropylene nanocomposites. J Macromol Sci B Phys 47:1176–1187
Wagner D, Lourie O, Feldman Y, Tenne R (1998) Stress-induced fragmentation of multiwall carbon nanotubes in a polymer matrix. Appl Phys Lett 72:188–190
Lourie O, Cox DM, Wagner HD (1998) Buckling and collapse of embedded carbon nanotubes. Phys Rev Lett 81:1638–1641
Zhang H, Zhang Zh (2007) Impact behaviour of polypropylene filled with multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Eur Polym J 43:3197–3207
Collins PG, Avouris P (2000) Nanotubes for electronics. Sci Am 283:62–69
Duan J, Shao Sh, Li Y, Wang L, Jiang P, Liu B (2012) Polylactide/graphite nanosheets/MWCNTs nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. Iran Polym J 21:109–120
Jin L, Bower C, Zhou O (1998) Carbon nanotube/polymer composites: fabrication, nanotube alignment and deformation. Appl Phys Lett 73:1197–1199
Curran S, Davey AP, Coleman J, Dalton A, McCarthy B, Maier S (1999) Evolution and evaluation of the polymer/nanotube composite. Synth Met 103:2559–2562
Funck A, Kaminsky W (2007) Polypropylene carbon nanotube composites by in situ polymerization. Compos Sci Technol 67:906–915
Xiao KQ, Zhang LC, Zarudi I (2007) Mechanical and rheological properties of carbon nanotube reinforced polyethylene composites. Compos Sci Technol 67:162–177
Prashantha K, Soulestin J, Lacrampe MF, Krawczak P, Dupin G, Claes M (2008) Masterbatch-based multi-walled carbon nanotube filled polypropylene nanocomposites: assessment of rheological and mechanical properties. Compos Sci Technol 69:1756–1763
Xiao Y, Xi Zhang, Cao W, Wang K, Tan H, Zhang Q, Du R, Fu Q (2007) Dispersion and mechanical properties of polypropylene/multiwall carbon nanotubes composites obtained via dynamic packing injection molding. J Appl Polym Sci 104:1880–1886
Lingyu S, Ronald FG, Gordaninejad F, Suhr J (2009) Energy absorption capability of nanocomposites: a review. Compos Sci Technol 69:2392–2409
David NV, Gao XL (2009) Ballistic resistant body armor: contemporary and prospective materials and related protection. Appl Mech Rev 62:050802
Hosur MV, Mohammed AA, Zainuddin S, Jeelani S (2008) Impact performance of nanophased foam core sandwich composites. Mater Sci Eng A Struct 498:100–109
Sabet AR, Beheshty MH, Rahimi H (2009) Experimental study of sharp-tipped projectile perforation of GFRP plates containing sand filler under high velocity impact and quasi-static loadings. Polym Compos 30:1497–1509
Chhabildas LC, Davison L, Horie Y (2005) High pressure shock compression of solids VIII. Springer, Germany Chs. 1, 2
Goldsmith W, Dharan CKH, Chang H (1995) Quasi-static and ballistic perforation of carbon fiber laminates. Int J Solid Struct 32:89–103
MIL-STD-662F (1997) V50 Ballistic test for Armor, MIL-STD-662F Standard, Department of defense test method standard
ASTM D256-02 (2002) Standard rest methods for determining the Izod pendulum impact resistance of plastics
ISO 527–2 (1993) Determination of tensile properties. Part 2: Test conditions for moulding and extrusion plastics
ASTM D790-03 (2003) Standard test methods for flexural properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics and electrical insulation materials
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Dr. M Karabi, academic member of Processing Faculty of Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute (IPPI) for his kind assistance in feasibility of this work and special thanks to Mr. HM Hosseini, Department of Plastic Processing, Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute (IPPI) for his assistance in preparing samples for this project.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zamani, M.M., Fereidoon, A. & Sabet, A. Multi-walled carbon nanotube-filled polypropylene nanocomposites: high velocity impact response and mechanical properties. Iran Polym J 21, 887–894 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-012-0097-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-012-0097-z