This article presents the effect of filler loading on compounding torques as well as mechanical properties of polypropylene/multiwalled carbon nanotube (PP/MWCNTs) nanocomposites. Samples were prepared via melt compounding method using a Haake internal mixer at rotor speed of 80 r/min. The torque values in a 10-min compounding period for the incorporation of MWCNTs fillers into PP matrix were analyzed and thoroughly evaluated. The data was further confirmed by morphological analysis via transmission electron microscopy. The efficiency of direct melt-compounding method using internal mixer was evident from the homogeneity of MWCNTs dispersed within the PP matrix observed in produced nanocomposites at filler loading up to 0.75 wt%. MWCNTs showed significant compatibility with PP matrix and proved the needlessness of chemical pretreatment and complicated compounding process to produce PP/MWCNTs nanocomposites. The mechanical properties and morphological characteristics were in good correlation with the processing behavior of the nanocomposites.
KimJYKimSH. Influence of multiwall carbon nanotube on physical properties of poly(ethylene 2,6-naphtalate) nanocomposites. J Polym Sci Part B Polym Phys2006; 44(7): 1062–1071.
4.
MohamadNMuchtarAGhazaliMJDahlanHMAzhariCH. The effect of filler on epoxidized natural rubber-alumina nanoparticles composites. Eur J Sci Res2008; 24(4): 538–547.
5.
MohamadNMuchtarAGhazaliMJDahlanHMAzhariCH. Correlation of filler loading and silane coupling agent on the physical characteristics of epoxidized natural rubber-alumina nanoparticles composites. J Elast Plast2010; 42: 331–346.
6.
IbrahimNA. Modification of oil palm empty fruit bunch fibre by graft polymerization and application in composites. PhD Thesis, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, 2005.
7.
TadmorZGogosCG. Principles of polymer processing. New York: Wiley Interscience Publication, 1979.
8.
Halimatuddahliana and IsmailH. Properties of thermoplastic elastomers based on PP/EPDM/ENR25 and PP/EPDM/NR blends. J Teknologi2003; 39: 97–106.
SupriHIsmailYusofAMM. Comparison studies of processability and swelling behaviour of waste poly(vynylchloride)/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (PVCw/NBR) and virgin poly(vynylchloride)/acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (PVCv/NBR) blends. In: Proceedings of the 3rd national symposium on polymeric materials, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malayasia, 30–31 December 2002.
11.
ShonaikeGOAdvaniSG. Advanced polymeric materials: structure property relationships. Bosa Roca: Taylor and Francis/CRC Press, 2003.
12.
XieXLMaiYWZhouXP. Dispersion and alignment of carbon nanotubes in polymer matrix: a review. Mater Sci Eng Rep2005; 49(4): 89–112.
JeefferieARYuhazriMYNooririnahOHaidirMMSihombingHaeryipMohd SallehMAThermomechanical and morphological interrelationship of polypropylene-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PP/MWCNTs) nanocomposites. Int J Basic Appl Sci2010; 10(4): 29–35.
15.
LiaoYH. Processing technique and mechanical properties of functionalized SWNT-reinforced composites. MSc Thesis, College of Engineering, The Florida State University, FL, 2003.
16.
RyanKPCadekMNicolosiVBlondDRuetherMArmstrongGCarbon nanotubes reinforcement of plastics: a case study with poly(vinyl alcohol). Compos Sci Technol2007; 67(7–8): 1640–1649.
17.
SeoMKParkSJ. Electrical resistivity and rheological behaviors of carbon nanotubes-filled polypropylene composites. Chem Phys Lett2004395(1–3), 44–48.
18.
PötschkePBhattacharyyaARJankeA. Carbon nanotubes-filled polycarbonate composites produced by melt mixing and their use in blends with polyethylene. Carbon2004; 42(5–6): 965–969.
19.
ParkJMKimDSLeeJRKimTW. Nondestructive damage sensitivity and reinforcing effect of carbon nanotubes/epoxy composites using electro-mecahnical technique. Mater Sci and Eng C2003; 23: 971–975.
20.
ZhuBKXieSHXuZKXuYY. Preparation and properties of the polyimide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) nanocomposites. Compos Sci Technol2006; 66: 548–554.
21.
GojnyFHWichmannMHGFiedlerBSchulteK.Influence of different carbon nanotubes on the mechanical properties of epoxy matrix composites. Compos Sci Technol2005; 65: 2300–2313.
22.
ChoiYKGotohYSugimotoKISongSMYanagisawaTEndoM.Processing and characterization of epoxy nanocomposites reinforced by cup-stacked carbon nanotubes. Polymer2005; 46: 11489–11498.
23.
KuesengKJacobKI. Natural rubber nanocomposites with SiC nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes. Eur Polymer J2010; 42: 220–227.
24.
HanimHZarinaRAhmad FuadMYMohd IshakZAHassanAzman. The effect of calcium carbonate nanofiller on the mechanical properties and crystallization behaviour of polypropylene. Malaysian Polym J2008; 3:12: 38–49.
