Influence of MMT and PP-g-MA incorporation on the morphology and mechanical properties of PP/SEBS blends

Blends of PP/SEBS containing montmorillonite clay (MMT) was studied. Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) was added aiming interaction improvement between blend components and MMT. The blends were obtained using a co-rotational twin-screw extruder. Samples for tensile and impact tests were obtained by injection molding and were characterized by tensile and impact tests. The blend morphologies were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). PP/SUBS blends containing MMT presented an increase in Young Modulus and impact strength and a decrease in elongation at break. This behavior was greater in the presence of PP-g-MA. The presence of the PP-g-MA had attracted the organoclay to the matrix due to the interaction between the platelets and the maleic anhydride group. In this nanocomposite, it was observed the presence of MMT within PP matrix and a slight decrease of the dispersed phase diameter.