Properties of polypropylene composites containing aluminum/multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Polypropylene/aluminum-multi-walled carbon nanotube (PP/Al-CNT) composites were prepared by a twin-screw extruder. The morphology indicates that the CNTs are well embedded or implanted within Al-flakes rather than attached on the surface. During preparation of composites, the CNTs came apart from Al-CNT so that free CNTs as well as Al-CNT were observed in PP/Al-CNT composite. The crystallization temperatures of PP/CNT and PP/Al-CNT composites were increased from 111 degrees C for PP to 127 degrees C for the composites. The decomposition temperature increased by 55 degrees C for PP/CNT composite and 75 degrees C for PP/Al-CNT composite. The PP/Al-CNT composite showed higher thermal conductivity than PP/CNT and PP/Al-flake composites with increasing filler content. PP/Al-CNT composites showed the viscosity values between PP/CNT and PP/Al-flake composites. PP/Al-CNT composite showed higher tensile modulus and lower tensile strength with increasing filler content compared to PP/CNT and PP/Al-flake composites.