Mechanical and rheological properties of polypropylene/bentonite composites with stearic acid as an interface modifier

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 132; no. 30; pp. np - n/a
• Main Authors: Del Angel, Cesar, Morales, Ana B., Navarro-Pardo, Fabiola, Lozano, Tomas, Lafleur, Pierre G, Sanchez-Valdes, Saul, Martinez-Colunga, Guillermo, Ramirez-Vargas, Eduardo, Alonso, Sergio, Zitzumbo, Roberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Blackwell Publishing Ltd 10.08.2015; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Addition polymerization; Bentonite; composites; Dispersions; Fillers; Materials science; mechanical properties; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; Polypropylenes; Rheological properties; Stearic acid; surfaces and interfaces
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.42264

ABSTRACT In this study, we present a study of polypropylene/bentonite composites where stearic acid was used as both a surface and interface modifier during the compounding of composites. The concentration of bentonite was 1.5, 2.5, 5.0, and 10 parts per hundred. The composites were characterized by impact resistance and tensile tests, rheological analysis, the dispersion state of the filler observed by optical microscopy, and interaction between bentonite and stearic acid, as analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. No chemical interaction was found between bentonite and stearic acid. Composites with modified bentonite and stearic acid used as interface modifiers increased the elongation at break; these samples also showed better dispersion of the filler in comparison with the other compounds. In addition, stearic acid acted as a lubricant, favoring the interaction of the polymer with the filler and decreasing the viscosity of the compounds. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42264.