Characterizing biaxially stretched polypropylene/graphene nanoplatelet composites

Abstract

During moulding processes such as thermoforming and blow moulding, heated polymer materials are subjected to rapid biaxial deformation as they are drawn into the shape of a mould. It is therefore essential to accurately measure and model this behaviour for new materials subjected to these processes. In this work, the processing and characterization of polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites containing graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) is reported. PP/GNP nanocomposites were prepared by melt-mixing using an industrial-scale, co-rotating, intermeshing, twin-screw extruder. A bespoke screw configuration designed in-house was used to enhance nanoparticle dispersion in a polymer matrix. The effects of nanofiller content and biaxial stretching on the bulk properties of PP/GNP nanocomposites have been investigated in details.