Effect of MAPP coupling agent on the mechanical and morphological properties of the Polypropylene/Aluminum Hydroxide composites

Abstract

To improve the compatibility of aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) and polypropylene (PP), the effect of maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) on the mechanical and morphological properties of 15 wt.% Al(OH)3/PP composites were investigated. PP/Al(OH)3 composites were prepared using Z-blade mixer, followed by compression molding. The results showed that the tensile strength and elongation at break improved phenomenally and the optimum content of MAPP was 1 wt.%. The tensile strength increased by 9.31%, elongation at break improved 20.22% and Young’s modulus were enhanced by 62.22%, compared to the unmodified composites. SEM results depicted a fracture surface with less void while smaller gaps between filler and matrix, indicates the improvement of interfacial compatibility in composites with 1 wt.% MAPP content. However, the esterification reaction was unable to be identified through FTIR analysis. This may be due to the ester bond are too few to be detected.