Dispersion, thermal and mechanical properties of polypropylene/magnesium hydroxide nanocomposites compatibilized by SEBS-g-MA

Isotactic polypropylene (PP)/nano-magnesium hydroxide (nano-MH) composites with 10 wt.% maleic anhydride grafted styrene–ethylene-butylene–styrene tri-block copolymer (SEBS-g-MA) as a compatilizer were prepared by melt extrusion compounding and injection molding. The effects of SEBS-g-MA on dispersion of nano-MHs in PP matrix and interfacial adhesion were studied in order to prepare highly filled PP/MH nanocomposites. The results showed that SEBS-g-MA improved both dispersion of nano-MHs and interfacial adhesion in PP/MH nanocomposites with up to 40 wt.% nano-MHs. The elastic moduli of PP/SEBS-g-MA /MH nanocomposites increased marginally and tensile yield strengths were almost invariant with nano-MH loading. Significant impact toughening of these ternary nanocomposites was, however, achieved due to the cavitation of SEBS-g-MA/MH particles and expansion of voids as well as plastic deformation of the PP matrix.