Impact-toughening mechanisms of calcium carbonate-reinforced polypropylene nanocomposite

abstract

• The impact fracture mechanisms of polypropylene (PP), containing 9.2 vol % of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3) nanoparticles, were investigated using optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The incorporation of CaCO 3 nanoparticles reduces the size of spherulites and induces the formation of -phase crystallites, which leads to a more ductile PP matrix. Double-notch four-point bending (DN-4PB) Charpy impact specimens and notched Izod impact specimens were utilized to study the fracture mechanism(s) responsible for the observed toughening effect. A detailed investigation reveals that the CaCO 3 nanoparticles act as stress concentrators to initiate massive crazes, followed by shear banding in PP matrix. These toughening mechanisms are responsible for the observed, improved impact strength. A comparison of the fracture mechanisms observed between DN-4PB Charpy and Izod impact tests is also made to show the effectiveness of DN-4PB for investigation of impact fracture mechanisms of polymeric systems. 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

authors

• Sue, Hung-Jue

published proceedings

• JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE

author list (cited authors)

• Weon, J. I., Gam, K. T., Boo, W. J., Sue, H. J., & Chan, C. M.

citation count

• 39

complete list of authors

• Weon, JI||Gam, KT||Boo, WJ||Sue, HJ||Chan, CM

publication date

• January 2006

publisher

• Wiley  Publisher

published in

• Journal of Applied Polymer Science  Journal

keywords

• Calcium Carbonate
• Crazing
• Impact Strength
• PP Nanocomposite
• Shear Yielding

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1002/app.22909

start page

• 3070

end page

• 3076

volume

• 99

issue

• 6

URL

• http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%2Fapp.22909