Fabrication and characterization of nano-CaCO₃/polypropylene foam sheets

Abstract

By applying the reinforcing and toughening effect of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nano-particles on polypropylene, foam sheets of good performance were successfully fabricated by extrusion. The equipment and conditions of the extrusion were explored. The mechanical properties of the produced foam sheets were tested. The effect of CaCO₃ nano-particles on the mechanical properties and the cellular structure of the sheets was comprehensively studied. The experimental results show that the optimum content of CaCO₃ nano-particles in the composite material was ∼4wt%. At this content, the nano-particles were well dispersed in the substrate, and the composite material had maximum tensile strength and impact strength. Surface treatment of the nano-particles only affected the impact strength of the composite material. CaCO₃ micro-particles, on the other hand, showed little effect on the properties of the composite material when the micro-particles content was less than 5 wt%. At a content higher than 5wt%, the properties of the composite material significantly worsened.

Keywords

calcium carbonat / polypropylene / foam sheet / composite material / cellular structure

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