Key Words:polypropylene; calcium carbonate; composites; polyethylene; tougheness; spherulites
Abstract:Propylene-ethylene copolymer/calcium carbonate (CaCO3) composites (weight ratio=50/50) toughened with high density polyethylene (HDPE) were prepared using a twin-screw extruder; the HDPE content in composites was in the range of 0-4wt.%. The notched impact strength of propylene-ethylene copolymer/CaCO3 composites with 1.5wt.% HDPE was 46% higher than that of propylene-ethylene copolymer/CaCO3 composites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments showed that good miscibility between propylene-ethylene copolymer and HDPE enhanced the interpenetration of the macromolecules located in the interface. It was shown that debonding of the small HDPE particles within the propylene-ethylene copolymer matrix resulted in the formation of small voids; the subsequent plastic deformation of the propylene-ethylene copolymer matrix next to the voids thinned the ligaments and led to large energy consumption.
Volume:47
Issue:3
Translation or Not:no