Structure Modification of Isotactic Polypropylene through Chemical Crosslinking: Toughening Mechanism

Reversibly crosslinked isotactic polypropylene (iPP) was prepared in the presence of dicumyl peroxide. The effects of the peroxide oxy-radicals in the melt were investigated in relation to the modification of the polymer. The dynamic rheology analysis of the crosslinking process was carried out by u...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Bouhelal, S., Cagiao, M. E., Benachour, D., Baltá Calleja, Francisco José
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2007
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/79485
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/79485
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Reactive blending
Crosslinking
Interpenetrating networks
Ductile–brittle transition
Descripción
Sumario:Reversibly crosslinked isotactic polypropylene (iPP) was prepared in the presence of dicumyl peroxide. The effects of the peroxide oxy-radicals in the melt were investigated in relation to the modification of the polymer. The dynamic rheology analysis of the crosslinking process was carried out by using a plastograph. The crosslinking reaction was evaluated by the Monsanto method. The resulting structure of the modified samples was studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), microhardness, and mechanical properties. The degree of crystallinity of the modified iPP, derived from DSC and WAXS, remains almost unchanged, i.e., the crystalline structure is unaffected, though the lamellar thickness slightly decreases. The impact strength of the crosslinked iPP is greatly improved with reference to that of the unmodified material. A transition from brittle to ductile behavior appears in the modified iPP for all the crosslinking agents studied.