Thermal analysis of Paper Sludge and Kaolin Filled Polypropylene (PP)/Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpoymer (EPDM) hybrid composites: the effect of MAPP and LICA

Abstract

Paper sludge, one of cellulosic materials, is a by product during paper manufacture. Polypropylene (PP)/ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) hybrid composites were made using kaolin and paper sludge (PS) filler as reinforcing agents in the PP/EPDM matrix. Both fillers were used at a similar total filler loading i.e., 60 % by weight of PP/EPDM matrix and maleic anhydride-grafted PP (MAPP) and LICA 12 were used as a compatibilizer and coupling agent, respectively. The thermal and crystallization behaviour of hybrid composites was studied by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The result showed that the increasing of kaolin loading increased the thermal stability and decreased crystallinity of hybrid composite. The presence of MAPP and LICA also increase the crystallinity and thermal stability of PP/EPDM/Kaolin/PS hybrid composites.