Dynamic and modulated thermomechanical behaviour of toughened polypropylene composites

Polypropylene (PP) composites have been prepared with mineral filler particles encapsulated in polar elastomers to increase toughness as well as tensile modulus and strength. Composites were prepared in a single screw extruder with special Gateway screw for enhanced dispersion. Mechanical testing demonstrated enhanced properties using both stress-strain and modulated frequency viscoelastic analysis. The viscoelastic analysis determined mechanical properties as a fimction of frequency and temperature, with emphasis on the glass transition phenomenon.