Compounding of Nanocomposite made of Aluminium Silicate Hydroxide/Polyolefin

Abstract

Polypropylene, a polyolefin is the most widely used semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymers due to its good thermal and mechanical properties, high dimensional stability and excellent processability. In this research three types of different molecular weight polypropylene named HP500 (HP), Atofina HG265FB and Borealis PPH7089 were used for production of nanocomposites at different aluminum silicate hydroxide (kaolinite) contents. Nanocomposites sample preparation starts by drying kaolinite and thorough mixing with olypropylene and compounding at different formulations between 0 up to 30% (w/w) of kaolinite for two batches of processing; for spinning of fibers and filaments for 3D printing. Melt flow and crystallisation temperature of HP500 compounded formulations shows an increase with kaolinite content while melt flow index for Atofina HG265FB polypropylene decreased with increase of kaolinite content. Increase of crystallisation temperature implies kaolinite acts as a nucleating agent.