Effect of nanostructured fly ash on mechanical, dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of PP/ABS blends

This study covers the detailed analysis of mechanical, dynamic mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of the nanostructured fly ash (NFA) filled polypropylene (PP)/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) blend composites. The melt blended standard samples were molded and considered for characterization studies. The loading of NFA was optimized at 5 wt% based on the mechanical properties of the blend composite. Various models were adopted to assess the mechanical properties of the blend composites. Dynamic mechanical properties were analyzed as a function of temperature. Cole-Cole plots of blend composites revealed the physical compatibilization of NFA and blend phases. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that NFA particles accelerated the crystallization process and reduced the crystallization time by 12 s. Thermal stability of the PP/ABS blend has found to be improved with the addition of NFA particles and a detailed degradation kinetic study has also been conducted. XRD pattern of the blend composites has also indicated the NFA intervention at the blend interfaces and this further evidenced from SEM and TEM magnified micrographs. The morphological and rheological properties supported the physical interaction of NFA particles within the blend phases and interface. Hence, the study noticed that NFA acted as physical compatibilizer between PP and ABS blend phases.