Extrusion and Properties of Nanoclay Added Composite Polypropylene Monofilaments

Abstract

This study focuses on combining traditional polymeric materials with nanoclays to engineer new composite monofilaments for nontraditional industries using extrusion process. Polypropylene/nanoclay composite monofilaments were produced using single and twin screw extruders, and the structure and properties of the new monofilaments were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and Instron universal testing machine. Composite monofilaments were prepared at different weight percentage (1, 2, and 3%) of nanoclay (Cloisite 15A) and different amount of compatabilizer (10, 15, and 20%) contents with single screw extruder. Twin screw extruder was used to produce composite monofilaments with different weight percentage (0.5, 1, and 1.5 %) and types of nanoclay (Cloisite 15A and 30B). The results showed that the amount of nanoclay and compatabilizer affect the formation and final properties of the new monofilaments. It was observed that tensile strength of composite monofilament decreased compared to pure polypropylene monofilaments. Melting temperature and degree of crystallinity were not affected much; however, there was significant increase in decomposition temperature of composite polypropylene monofilaments.