Structural effects on the tensile and morphological properties of zeolite-filled polypropylene derivative composites

We have studied the effects that inorganic zeolite powder have on structurally different copolymer [poly(propylene-co-ethylene)] and terpolymer [poly(propylene-co-ethylene-co-1-butene)] systems and the possibility of preparing suitable porous composite films. The impact strength and yield stress of the composites did not improve upon any further loading of zeolite, but the modulus increased gradually with respect to the filler loading. The experimental modulus of each of the two systems was compared with theoretical models. We performed a morphological study of the filler mixing efficiency and image analysis. The number-, weight-, and z-average air hole diameters were compared with respect to the draw ratio as well as the zeolite loading. The experimental results suggest that these two matrices can provide a new choice for preparing future multiphase polymeric porous films by stretching them unidirectionally. In particular, we suggest that a 40 wt% zeolite loading at a draw ratio of 4 is useful for porous film applications.