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Investigation on microstructures, melting and crystallization behaviors, mechanical and processing properties of β-isotactic polypropylene /CaCO3 toughening masterbatch composites

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Abstract

In this study, β-isotactic polypropylene (β-iPP)/CaCO3 toughening masterbatch (CTM) composites were compounded in a single screw extruder. The microstructures and properties of the composites were investigated. It was shown that CTM influenced the crystallinity and crystallization temperature of β-iPP. The flexural modulus and storage modulus (E’) at 23 °C increased with the increasing CTM content, implying the increased stiffness of the composites. The improved miscibility between β-iPP and CTM was demonstrated by the decreased glass transition temperatures of the composites. The Izod notched impact strength at 23 °C of the composites was directly related to the CTM content because of the competition between the morphological feature of β-iPP and the content of inorganic rigid toughening particles. The critical ligament thickness (τ c = 1.47 μm) at 40% CTM content was calculated according to the modified Wu’s equation. The morphologies of impact fractured surfaces were observed and the massive shear deformation was related to the debonding of CaCO3 particles. The presence of CTM also improved the melt flowability and dimensional stability but it was detrimental to heat deflection temperature (HDT) of the composites.

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Funding

This study was funded by the Innovation Foundation for Graduate Students of Jiangsu Province (SJLX16_0295) and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD).

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  1. College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 210009, China

    Qi-cheng Lu & Qiang Dou

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  1. Qi-cheng Lu
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Correspondence to Qiang Dou.

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Lu, Qc., Dou, Q. Investigation on microstructures, melting and crystallization behaviors, mechanical and processing properties of β-isotactic polypropylene /CaCO3 toughening masterbatch composites. J Polym Res 24, 206 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-017-1375-4

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