Carbon nanotube/polypropylene composite particles for microwave welding

Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polypropylene (PP) composite particles with various compositions were prepared by mechanical grinding of PP microparticles and MWCNT powders in a mortar at room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that PP particles were coated by MWCNTs, forming a core-shell structure. The electrical resistivity versus temperature behavior of MWCNT/PP composite particles and the changes in phase structures before and after melting were studied. Furthermore, MWCNT/PP composite particles with 4 wt % MWCNT were used to weld PP substrates under microwave irradiation. The effects of the irradiation duration and the compression pressure on the welding strength were examined. Here, we have demonstrated a simple and economic method for polymer welding. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012