Polypropylene (PP) fiber reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites were prepared from polymer blends with different melting temperature. The essential stages in the production of HDPE/PP nanocomposites are: (i) blending and extrusion; (ii) roll-drawing; and, (iii) compression molding at a temperature above the melting point of the lower-melting component and below the higher-melting component. The samples were studied by DSC, XRD, SEM and mechanical testing. Both components in the blend were highly oriented after roll-drawing at elevated temperature. After molding, isotropization of the HDPE component was observed while the orientation of the PP was preserved. SEM results indicate that PP fibers of 100 - 250 nm in diameter were developed within HDPE matrix. The mechanic...[ Read more ]

Polypropylene (PP) fiber reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites were prepared from polymer blends with different melting temperature. The essential stages in the production of HDPE/PP nanocomposites are: (i) blending and extrusion; (ii) roll-drawing; and, (iii) compression molding at a temperature above the melting point of the lower-melting component and below the higher-melting component. The samples were studied by DSC, XRD, SEM and mechanical testing. Both components in the blend were highly oriented after roll-drawing at elevated temperature. After molding, isotropization of the HDPE component was observed while the orientation of the PP was preserved. SEM results indicate that PP fibers of 100 - 250 nm in diameter were developed within HDPE matrix. The mechanical properties of the HDPE/PP composites are comparable to those of glass fiber reinforced composites with the same matrix polymer.