RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND MELT-SPUN FIBER CHARACTERISTICS OF POLYMERIC NANOCOMPOSITES

摘要

Polypropylene/layered silicate nanocomposite fibers are prepared by melt spinning in the presence or absence compatibilizer in order to examine the influences of dispersion state and interaction force on rheological properties of the nanocomposite. The results of compatibilized nanocomposite fiber performed in the same spinning conditions were compared to polypropylene and uncompatibilized nanocomposite fiber. The tensile properties of as-spun and drawn fibers were measured and related to the melt spinning conditions, organoclay and compatibilizer contents, and the results of structural characterization. The nanocomposite fibers with organoclay and compatibilizer did not show improved tensile strength and elongation at break. The counter effect of PP-g-MAH compatibilizer played key role in internal structure and tensile property of nanocomposite fibers. The positive effect makes more effective exfoliated structure of organoclay in polymer matrix and has higher crystallinity. On the contrary, negative effect is that nanocomposite fiber has lower molecular weight than pure polypropylene fiber because compatibilizer has low molecular weight. The presence of PP-g-MAH compatibilizer gives more effective exfoliation of organoclay in nanocomposite fiber during drawing process. The tensile properties of nanocomposite fibers can be understood in terms of drawing which produces additional exfoliation of organoclay during the fiber spinning and drawing.