Effect of MWNTs on Mechanical Properties of PP/MMT Nanocomposites

N. Manoharan¹ and V. Selvakumar²

¹Director Research, AMET University, Chennai - 603112, India. ²Research Scholar, AMET University, Chennai - 603112, India.

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/1402

ABSTRACT: This article addresses the effect of Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) on the mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/ Montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites. PP/MWNT/MMT hybrid nanocomposites have been prepared by melt mixing using maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAH-g-PP) as compatibilizing agents. Melt mixing was achieved using twin screw extruder. The MAH-g-PP used as compatibilizer helped the dispersion of the MWNTs in PP/MMT matrix. The effect of MWCNTs on the PP/MMT nanocomposites was investigated in terms of mechanical properties and morphological using Transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), tensile test, flexural test and notched Izod impact test. These were compared with the conventional polypropylene-clay nanocomposite. The resulting composite shows about 33% increase in tensile modulus and 20% in the impact strength when compared with binary combination of PP/MMT nanocomposite.

KEYWORDS: Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWNTs); Montmorillonite (MMT); HybridNanocomposites; Scanning electron microscope (SEM): Mechanical characterization

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