The synergistic effects of beta-nucleating agent and ethylene octene copolymer on toughening isotactic polypropylene

摘要

The mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and ethylene octene copolymer (POE) blends with or without beta-nucleating agent (beta-NA) were systematically studied. Results demonstrated that, after beta-NA and POE were separately added, the impact strength of injection molded iPP samples increased. beta-NA and POE were also found to have a synergistic toughening effect on iPP matrix, and the effect was significant. When the contents were 0.05 wt% beta-NA and 10 wt% POE, the impact strength reached the maximum, i.e., almost 15 times that of neat iPP. SEM further revealed that POE in skin and core layers existed as long and narrow strips along the flow direction and throughout crystals. The tensile strength did not deteriorate because of the special phase morphology and tight interfacial interaction between POE phase and matrix. WAXD and DSC revealed that POE addition had negligible influence on crystal form, and a considerable number of beta crystals was generated by adding beta-NA. SEM results also confirmed a critical beta-NA content. When beta-NA content was lower than the critical value, perfect beta sphaerocrystals were generated. When beta-NA was higher, "bundle-like" crystal structures formed. Perfect beta sphaerocrystals were more efficient for dissipating energy because of the looser stacking pattern, thus showing better toughness. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.