The Effect of PVP Addition on the Mechanical Properties of Ternary Polymer Blends

摘要

One of the problems associated with polymeric blend composites is how to make the components adhere. In this work, the effect of introducing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to binary polymeric blends was studied. Two sets of ternary polymeric composites were prepared using twin-extruders: the chemical composition of the first set consisted of Polypropylene (PP) with 15%; linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), χ% Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and 1% basalt particle (B.P.), where χ values were 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16; whereas the samples of the second set were prepared by substituting the LLDPE material with HDPE material at the same weight ratios, giving a chemical composition of PP with 15% HDPE, χ% PVP and 1% B.P. The mechanical characteristics and morphology results were studied, and the results showed general mechanical property enhancement with increased PVP content in the two groups of prepared samples, with the exception of elongation which decreased with the addition of PVP to the blends. The highest values of the tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, impact strength, and fracture toughness were recorded at an 8% ratio of PVP content in the first group samples, while the highest values for the same properties for the second group samples was at a 4% ratio of PVP content in the blend. Moreover, the samples of the first group had the highest values of impact strength and fracture toughness (0.45 kJ/m~2) and (4.58 Pa√m) respectively, whereas the samples in the second group gained the highest values of fracture strength and Young's modulus. SEM images indicated that the addition of PVP gave better interfacial adhesion between the constituents of the polymeric blends.