Polypropylene/Organoclay Nanocomposites

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation in an intermeshing co-rotating twin-screw extruder. The effect of molecular weight of PP-MA (maleic anhydride modified polypropylene) on clay dispersion and mechanical properties of nanocomposites were investigated. After injection molding, the tensile properties and impact strength were measured. The best overall mechanical properties were found for composites containing PP-MA with the highest molecular weight.