Melting characteristic and β-crystal content of β-nucleated polypropylene/polyamide 6 alloys prepared using different compounding methods

Yang, Z. , Chen, C., Liang, D., Zhang, Z. and Mai, K. (2009) Melting characteristic and β-crystal content of β-nucleated polypropylene/polyamide 6 alloys prepared using different compounding methods. Polymer International, 58(12), pp. 1366-1372. (doi: 10.1002/pi.2671)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The distribution of nucleating agents in different phases is still an open question in general, and how to control conditions to prepare alloys rich in β-crystals of polypropylene (PP) is hardly reported. The main goal of this study was to find out the factors influencing the β-crystal content in β-nucleated PP/polyamide 6 (PA6) alloys and determine the best preparation conditions to obtain β-nucleated PP/PA6 alloys rich in β-crystals. RESULTS: The compounding methods had little influence on the crystallization temperature of both PP and PA6. However, the melting characteristic and β-crystal content in β-nucleated PP/PA6 alloys not only depended upon the compounding methods, but also on the temperature at which the nucleating agent was added. A higher β-crystal content can be obtained by adding the nucleating agent at a temperature below 190 °C, which is also dependent on the mixing time. CONCLUSION: It is proved by etching the alloys with sulfuric acid that the nucleating agent mainly disperses in the PA6 phase and/or the interface between PP and PA6 when blended at high temperature.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Yang, Dr Zhugen
• Authors: Yang, Z., Chen, C., Liang, D., Zhang, Z., and Mai, K.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
• Journal Name: Polymer International
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0959-8103
• ISSN (Online): 1097-0126