THE APPLICATION OF HALLOYSITE AS FILLER FOR MODIFICATION OF POLYPROPYLENE. PART II. STUDIES OF PROPERTIES OBTAINED PP COMPOSITIES WITH HNT

Part I of this paper refers to the characteristics of halloysite (HNT) as filler and the comparison of selected parameters of HNT nanotubes. This article presents the review of literature concerning methods of obtaining and evaluating composites. The aim of this review is to indicate the most promising route of synthesizing reinforced composites PP with HNT. The application of fillers allows modification of the functional properties of polymers. The main objective was to obtain the best homogeneity of the hydrophobic polymer with hydrophilic filler. The purpose of presented work has been the application of HNT as a filler in modification of polypropylene (PP) by extrusion method. This paper describes the scheme of conducting the research obtaining composites PP with HNT, the parameters for the preparation of composites HNT with PP, elementary analysis of HNT as well as the results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size distribution of fraction of HNT FLD, FLB, FLS. The experiments were carried out in a Thermo-Haake twin screw extruder (PTW 16/25D). DSM Micro-injection moulding machine was used for moulding the specimens to test the mechanical properties. The obtained composites were tested for mechanical and thermal properties. PP composites with HNT (1, 5 and 10 wt. %) were synthesised. The research examined the change in composites characteristics such as: softening point compared to PP matrix, flexural modulus, flexural strength and elongation at break depending on the type and amount of halloysite used. The obtained results confirm the possibilities of obtaining composites of interesting mechanical properties. Work on presented subject will be continued.