Phase Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Heterophasic Polypropylene - Ethylene/propylene Copolymers Systems
Phase Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Heterophasic Polypropylene - Ethylene/propylene Copolymers Systems
Phase Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Heterophasic Polypropylene - Ethylene/propylene Copolymers Systems
Summary — In the following study the interactions between the phases, the
morphology development and the resulting mechanical performance of the
heterophasic polypropylene—ethylene/propylene copolymers (PP/EP) sys-
tems were investigated with respect to EP composition and matrix and dis-
persed phase molecular weights. It was shown that the compatibility between
the components forming the matrix and the dispersed phase, as well as the
dimensions of the dispersed domains were primarily controlled by ethylene
content in EP. The decrease of ethylene content in ethylene/propylene copoly-
mer was found to produce a strong refinement of the dispersed particle size
and accordingly a reduction of the brittle to ductile transition temperature
(TBDT) of the materials, as defined by conventional impact testing. However,
the general fracture energy level was found to be governed by the molecular
weights of the blend components. Increasing molecular weight of EP as well
as of PP showed a beneficial effect on the toughness of the investigated
blends.
Key words: polypropylene, ethylene/propylene copolymers, blends, hetero-
phasic systems, dynamic mechanical analysis, morphology, impact strength.
Method of testing
10
The mechanical relaxation behavior of the blends and 100 PP/EP82
PP/EP70
the glass transition temperatures (Tg) of the components
PP/EP50
G’’, MPa
a) Literature data for neat EP copolymers and propylene-rich dispersed phase and subsequently
Experimental data for PP/EP copolymers to better interaction between the components resulting
20 20 in higher compatibility of the blends.
It has been detected that the intensity of PP glass
PP
transition peak, which is associated with the relaxation
0 0
Tg of the EP phase, °C
a)
1000
G’, MPa
-20 -20
10
PE-LD
100 PP/EP L
-40 -40 PP/EP M
PP/EP H
G’’, MPa
-60 -60
0 20 40 60 80 100
10
Ethylene content of the EP phase, wt. %
0,1
b)
tan δ
20 20
0,01
0 0 -100 -50 0 50 100 150
Tg of the PP/EP, °C
Temperature, °C
b)
-40 -40 10
PP 100 PP L/EP
EP PP M /EP
G’’, MPa
PPH /EP
-60 -60
0 20 40 60 80 100
Ethylene content of the EP phase, wt. %
Fig. 2. Effect of EP composition on: a) Tg of EP phase as 10
compared to the literature data of neat ethylene/propylene co-
polymers [5, 6], b) Tg of PP and EP phases in PP/EP systems 0,1
tan δ
a) PP b) PP
50 PP/EP82 50 PP/EP L
PP/EP70 PP/EPM
PP/EP50 PP/EPH
PP/EP30
40 PP/EP17 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100
Temperature, °C Temperature, °C
c) Fig. 6. Notched impact strength (aCN) as a function of the
PPL /EP
temperature and: a) EP composition, b) EP molecular weight,
50 PPM /EP
c) PP molecular weight
PP H /EP
20 CONCLUSIONS
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Neissl W.: J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2003, 87, 1702.
The financial support of the State Government of Sachsen- 8. Grein C., Bernreitner K., Gahleitner M.: J. Appl. Po-
Anhalt and the Dow Olefinverbund GmbH, Germany is grate- lym. Sci. 2004, 93, 1854.
fully acknowledged. 9. Menke C.: PhD Thesis, Martin Luther University
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REFERENCES
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