Microinjection of polipropylene with nanoclays

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites micro samples was produced by micro injection molding at concentrations 2, 6 and 10% of Nanomax. The dispersion of the nanoclay particles in polypropylene was characterized using optical microscopy in polarized light, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the mechanical characterisation was performed using the tensile test. The results of x-ray diffraction indicated the formation of nanocomposites with partially exfoliated or intercalated structures, depending on the concentration of clay, with a maximum basal spacing of 6.217 nm. The micrographs obtained by scanning electron microscopy of fractured nanocomposite showed good dispersion of clay in polymer matrix without the presence of clusters. The tensile strength of PP/MMT is not much improved compared with pure PP but deformation increased significantly.