Properties of talc filled reactor-made thermoplastic polyolefin composites

In this study, the effect of micron- and submicron-sized talc particles on the mechanical and rheological properties of reactor-made thermoplastic polyolefin (rTPO) is investigated. Using a twin-screw extruder, rTPO composites containing up to 30 wt% talc were prepared by melt compounding. The sensitivity analysis of the findings showed that the impact resistance of rTPO is more affected by the temperature rather than the presence of talc particles. Based on the notched Charpy impact test, the composites containing up to 25 wt% talc particles exhibited a very high impact strength and did undergo partial break at 23 degrees C, while they showed complete break at -30 degrees C. Flexural modulus, melt viscosity, and heat distortion temperature (HDT) of the composites were improved by incorporation of fillers into the rTPO and these increments were more pronounced for the compounds containing submicron-sized talc particles.