Suppression in Melt Viscosity of the Homogeneously Mixed Blends of Polypropylene (iPP–UHMWiPP) in the Presence of an Oxalamide

Ramiro Marroquin-Garcia, Nils Leone, Laurence G. D. Hawke, Carolus H. R. M. Wilsens, Sanjay Rastogi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Here we report on the influence of an aliphatic oxalamide-based nucleating agent (OXA3,6) on the viscoelastic and mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) blended with ultrahigh molecular weight iPP (UHMWiPP). The linear viscoelastic properties are investigated by using a plate–plate rheometer; the presence of only 0.5 wt % of OXA3,6 in the iPP–UHMWiPP blends results in a reduction of the complex viscosity in the entire frequency domain examined. This observation holds irrespective of the UHMWiPP weight fraction, up to 25 wt %. The viscosity suppression is attributed to an acceleration of the reorientation times of the chains, especially the longer ones, due to partial alignment of their molecular segments. Furthermore, SAXS measurements on cooled, injection molded samples hint that OXA3,6-containing samples display enhanced alignment under processing conditions (injection molding). Compared to samples without OXA, an increase in the SAXS intensity along the equator is observed in the OXA3,6 samples, implying an enhanced ability of shish-kebab formation. Such a morphological development results in higher yield stress while maintaining the elastic behavior.
Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalMacromolecules
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 28 2022

Bibliographical note

KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2022-04-01
Acknowledgements: The authors extend their thanks to Dr. V. Gupta of Reliance Industries, India, for providing the UHMWiPP used in this study.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Inorganic Chemistry

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