In recent year’s polymer/layered silicate (PLS) nanocomposites have attracted great
interest, both in industry and in academia, because they often exhibit remarkable improvement in
materials properties when compared with virgin polymer or conventional micro and macrocomposites.
These improvements can include high moduli, increased strength and heat resistance,
decreased gas permeability and flammability, and increased biodegradability of biodegradable
polymers. However these properties are strongly influenced by how the clay is dispersed in the
polymer.
In this study the synergistic effects in PP+short glass fiber+nanoclay systems in the tribogical and
dynamic properties in injection mouldings were analysed.
The materials used were a Polypropylene Homopolymer, Nanoclay (montmorillonite layer silicate)
for Polyolefin Nanocomposites in percentages of 2%, 6% and 10% and a Polypropylene
Homopolymer with content of 10% and 30% of glass fiber reinforced.
The various materials systems were characterized in terms of dynamic properties and tribological
properties. Several tests were conducted which includes the measurements of coefficient of friction
in conditions similar to the ejection phase in injection moulding process. The microstructure of the
mouldings was characterized by DSC.
Polymer properties are determined by the incorporation of nanoclays, SGF and by processing.
Moreover influencing the microstructure of the mouldings and a synergistic effect of the nano and
micro reinforcements are also observed
