2012 Volume 24 Issue 8 Pages 491-497
In this study, organically modified silica of different particle sizes (micro and nano) and polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared. The PP micro/nano composites were then molded by conventional and microcellular injection molding process. The effects of silica particle sizes on the mechanical and rheological properties were investigated. The results showed that PP/silica nanocomposites have better tensile strength than that of foamed nanocomposites. The addition of nanosilica also increased the tensile strength of the PP/silica nanocomposites, but decreased the tensile strength of PP/silica microcomposites. The silica particles helped the nanocomposites to develop small cells on the foaming process. Rheological results showed an increase in the viscosity with the addition of nanosilica and microsilica to PP. The viscosity increase for the silica nanocomposites was greater than that of microcomposites.
