Compatibilization of Polypropylene （Compatibilization聚丙烯）.pdfVIP

Journal of Physical Science, Vol. 20(1), 99–107, 2009 99 Compatibilisation of Polypropylene/Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer/Kaolin Composites: The Effect of Maleic Anhydride- Grafted-Polypropylene * H. Salmah , C.M. Ruzaidi and A.G. Supri School of Material Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) 02600 Jejawi, Perlis, Malaysia *Corresponding author: irsalmah@.my Abstract: The tensile properties and morphology of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM)/Kaolin composites were investigated. Maleic anhydride-grafted-polypropylene (MAPP) was used as a compatibiliser to improve the compatibility of kaolin filled PP/EPDM composites. Results show that incorporation of MAPP increased the tensile strength and Young’s modulus, but reduced the elongation at break. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the tensile fracture surfaces of composites indicates that the MAPP improved the interfacial interaction between kaolin and PP/EPDM matrix. Keywords: polypropylene, ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, kaolin, compatibiliser, composites 1. INTRODUCTION The incorporation of mineral fillers into thermoplastics’ elastomers has been widely practiced in industry to extend the elastomers and to enhance certain properties. Fillers often increase the performance of polymeric products. The degree of improvement depends on the choice of filler origin, particle size and shape, the fraction of filler, and the surface treatment promoting interaction between the polymer matrix and filler.1 The addition of fillers to polymers is a fast and