The effect of Maleic Anhydride Grafted Polypropylene on Hygrothermal aging of Paper Sludge Filled Polypropylene /Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer composites

Abstract

The effect of filler loading and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) of paper sludge (PS) filled Polypropylene (PP)/Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer(EPDM) composite was studied. Hygrothermal aging behaviour was also investigated by immersing the specimen in distilled water at 60 0C. The water absorption was studied from amount of water uptake by specimen at regular interval times. The effect of hygrothermal aging show the tensile strength and elongation at break decreased but Young’s modulus and water absorption increase with increasing filler loading. The higher tensile strength, Young’s modulus and lower water absorption of composites with the addition MAPP was due to the improvement compatibility between filler and matrix. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the mode of failure of the PP/EPDM/PS composites.