Xianwu Cao

Effect of Vibrating Extrusion on the Structure and Mechanical Properties of Isotactic Polypropylene

An electromagnetic dynamic plasticating extruder, invented by the authors, was used to prepare isotactic polypropylene (PP) sheets. Tensile and impact tests show that the extruded samples can simultaneously be reinforced and toughened along the flow and transverse directions in a moderate frequency and amplitude range. The microstructures of the obtained samples were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and scanning electron microcopy (SEM). The results indicate that the vibration plasticating extrusion affected the morphology of the PP extrudate, it especially resulted in finer spherulites, and move tie molecules, which account for the enhancement of the tensile strength and impact toughness of PP sheets in both extrusion and transversal directions.

Impact of rapid ozone degradation on the structure and properties of polypropylene using a reactive extrusion process

In this work, rapid ozone degradation of polypropylene (PP) was developed for the aim of rheology control using a reactive extrusion process. Experiments were carried out in a co-rotating intermeshed twin-screw extruder with varied polymer throughput and reaction temperature. Ozone was introduced into the extruder to rapidly oxidize molten PP in just several seconds period. The oxidized PP was characterized through melt flow index (MFI), rheological measurement, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy tests. The influence of reactive temperature and polymer throughput on the degradation reaction was studied. It was noted that molten PP could be fast and successfully degraded during this reactive extrusion process. The oxidized PP had higher MFI than that of the origin PP resin, indicating the decrease of molecular weight of PP. Carbonyl groups were formed on the PP molecular chains. This rapid oxidization process has higher reaction efficiency than the ozone degradation of PP in solid state and no harmful byproduct would be generated from this ozonizing reaction.

Comparison Study on CO2-Promoted Crystallization and Melting Behavior of Polypropylene: Homopolymer and Copolymers

Three types of polypropylene, namely propylene homopolymer (HPP), block copolymer of propylene with ethylene (CPP-B) and random copolymer of propylene with ethylene (CPP-R), were melted and isothermally crystallized in a self-designed vessel under supercritical carbon dioxide (Sc-CO2) atmosphere. The melting behavior and crystalline forms of crystallized samples were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The results showed that the presence of Sc-CO2 could improve the crystallinity for all three polypropylenes, and the promoting effect was more obivious with increasing CO2 pressure. In addition, it was observed that γ-crystals could be obtained in the CPP-B and CPP-R samples crystallized under Sc-CO2, while no γ-crystals were formed in HPP under the given conditions. The relative content of γ-crystals obtained in CPP-R samples was much higher than that of CPP-B, and 100% γ-phase could be formed in the CPP-R sample when subjected to 14 MPa Sc-CO2.