Mechanical and thermal characterization of functionalized maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene

This study addresses the mechanical and thermal characterization of functionalized polypropylene (PP). Maleic anhydride (MA) grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) was constructed into a composite and used as a compatibilizer. Pellets formed from this composite were then mixed with large percentages of PP to form the functionalized (PP-g-MA)/PP composite. This unique approach reduces the grafting concentration of MA on PP, thus increases the physical properties of PP. The influence of grafting PP on the mechanical, thermal, chemical and morphology behavior of the composite was studied by three-point bending, nanoindentation, differential scanning calorimeter (DCS), thermogravimtric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) tests. The mechanical properties of strength, modulus and hardness of the (PP-g-MA)/PP composites increased by 26%, 30.5% and 121%, respectively compared to pure PP. Thermal analysis showed thermal stability in terms of differential calorimetry (thermal resistance) whereas TGA showed variable degradation of the composite samples. FTIR depicted the absorption band at 1600 cm(-1)-1700 cm(-1) which is associated to anhydride function on PP, thus proving the grafting phenomena of PP-g-MA. SEM spectroscopy verifies good adhesion of the grafted composite.