Investigation of Crystallization, Morphology, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Polypropylene-Polyethylene Block Copolymer Blends
Polyethylene (PE)-based elastomers are the ideal choice for enhancing the compatibility of polypropylene/polyethylene (PP/PE) blends and improving the mechanical properties of PP-based materials. However, the issue of blend systems lies in the interplay between the crystallization processes. Therefo...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/24/4680 |
| _version_ | 1797379535202680832 |
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| author | Wenjun Shao Li-Zhi Liu Ying Wang Yuanxia Wang Ying Shi Lixin Song |
| author_facet | Wenjun Shao Li-Zhi Liu Ying Wang Yuanxia Wang Ying Shi Lixin Song |
| author_sort | Wenjun Shao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Polyethylene (PE)-based elastomers are the ideal choice for enhancing the compatibility of polypropylene/polyethylene (PP/PE) blends and improving the mechanical properties of PP-based materials. However, the issue of blend systems lies in the interplay between the crystallization processes. Therefore, we investigated the crystallization behavior during the cooling process of a new generation of PP/PE block copolymers (PP-b-PE) and random polypropylene (PPR, a copolymer of propylene and a small amount of ethylene or an alpha-olefin) blends using in-situ X-ray diffraction/scattering and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. We also conducted mechanical performance tests on PPR/PP-b-PE blends at room temperature and low temperature (−5 °C). The results indicate that during the cooling process, the PP phase of PP-b-PE will follow the PPR to crystallize in advance and form a eutectic mixture, thereby enhancing the compatibility of PP/PE. Moreover, the PPR/PP-b-PE blend will form stable β-(300) crystals with excellent mechanical properties. Due to the improved compatibility of PP/PE with PP-b-PE, PE crystals are dispersed within PP crystals, providing bonding that improves the toughness of PPR under the low stiffness failure conditions of PPR/PP-b-PE blends, thereby enhancing their impact performance at low and room temperatures. This research has great significance for both recycling waste plastics and enhancing the low-temperature toughness of PPR. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:25:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0497f192cd95444ea872e14662d0a64b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:25:39Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-0497f192cd95444ea872e14662d0a64b2023-12-22T14:36:38ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602023-12-011524468010.3390/polym15244680Investigation of Crystallization, Morphology, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Polypropylene-Polyethylene Block Copolymer BlendsWenjun Shao0Li-Zhi Liu1Ying Wang2Yuanxia Wang3Ying Shi4Lixin Song5Advanced Manufacturing Institute of Polymer Industry, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang 110142, ChinaAdvanced Manufacturing Institute of Polymer Industry, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang 110142, ChinaAdvanced Manufacturing Institute of Polymer Industry, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang 110142, ChinaAdvanced Manufacturing Institute of Polymer Industry, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang 110142, ChinaAdvanced Manufacturing Institute of Polymer Industry, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang 110142, ChinaAdvanced Manufacturing Institute of Polymer Industry, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang 110142, ChinaPolyethylene (PE)-based elastomers are the ideal choice for enhancing the compatibility of polypropylene/polyethylene (PP/PE) blends and improving the mechanical properties of PP-based materials. However, the issue of blend systems lies in the interplay between the crystallization processes. Therefore, we investigated the crystallization behavior during the cooling process of a new generation of PP/PE block copolymers (PP-b-PE) and random polypropylene (PPR, a copolymer of propylene and a small amount of ethylene or an alpha-olefin) blends using in-situ X-ray diffraction/scattering and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. We also conducted mechanical performance tests on PPR/PP-b-PE blends at room temperature and low temperature (−5 °C). The results indicate that during the cooling process, the PP phase of PP-b-PE will follow the PPR to crystallize in advance and form a eutectic mixture, thereby enhancing the compatibility of PP/PE. Moreover, the PPR/PP-b-PE blend will form stable β-(300) crystals with excellent mechanical properties. Due to the improved compatibility of PP/PE with PP-b-PE, PE crystals are dispersed within PP crystals, providing bonding that improves the toughness of PPR under the low stiffness failure conditions of PPR/PP-b-PE blends, thereby enhancing their impact performance at low and room temperatures. This research has great significance for both recycling waste plastics and enhancing the low-temperature toughness of PPR.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/24/4680polypropyleneblock copolymercrystal structurecompatibilityX-ray |
| spellingShingle | Wenjun Shao Li-Zhi Liu Ying Wang Yuanxia Wang Ying Shi Lixin Song Investigation of Crystallization, Morphology, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Polypropylene-Polyethylene Block Copolymer Blends Polymers polypropylene block copolymer crystal structure compatibility X-ray |
| title | Investigation of Crystallization, Morphology, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Polypropylene-Polyethylene Block Copolymer Blends |
| title_full | Investigation of Crystallization, Morphology, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Polypropylene-Polyethylene Block Copolymer Blends |
| title_fullStr | Investigation of Crystallization, Morphology, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Polypropylene-Polyethylene Block Copolymer Blends |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigation of Crystallization, Morphology, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Polypropylene-Polyethylene Block Copolymer Blends |
| title_short | Investigation of Crystallization, Morphology, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Polypropylene-Polyethylene Block Copolymer Blends |
| title_sort | investigation of crystallization morphology and mechanical properties of polypropylene polypropylene polyethylene block copolymer blends |
| topic | polypropylene block copolymer crystal structure compatibility X-ray |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/24/4680 |
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