Physical and mechanical properties of Al(OH)₃/polypropylene composites modified by in situ‐functionalized polypropylene

Abstract

Abstract Al(OH) 3 /polypropylene (PP) composites modified by in situ ‐functionalized polypropylene (FPP) were prepared by a one‐step melt‐extrusion process. The effect of in situ FPP on the crystallization and melting behavior, melt‐flow index, limiting oxygen index, thermal degradation, mechanical properties, and fracture morphology of Al(OH) 3 /PP composites was studied. Formation of in situ FPP resulted in a decreased crystallization temperature and melting point of PP in the composites, an increased melt‐flow index, and improved tensile and flexural strengths of Al(OH) 3 /PP composites, whereas the thermal degradation behavior and limiting oxygen index was not been influenced. The impact strength of the Al(OH) 3 /PP composites modified by in situ FPP depended upon the content of the initiator, dicumyl peroxide, and the monomer, acrylic acid. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2850–2857, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10269