pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S08 - Nanocarbon Based Composites, with CNPComp2017
Keynote Presentation
 
 

NEW INSIGHTS FROM THE OPTIMIZATION OF MELT MIXING PARAMETERS IN POLYPROPYLENE/ MULTI-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBE NANOCOMPOSITES

Lison Valérie (1)*, Hurtgen Marie (1), Kchit Nadir (1), Rul Alicia (1), Claes Michaël (1)

(1) Nanocyl - Sambreville - Belgium

In polymer nanocomposites containing carbon nanotubes (CNT), the critical challenge remains to manage the dispersion of CNT in most of thermoplastics resins, in terms of size and number of agglomerates. Indeed, it is quite obvious to achieve the percolation threshold above a critical filler volume fraction which coincides with the formation of a conduction network of filler particles in the continuous polymer phase. However, despite intensive studies on this field, the higher level of CNT’s dispersion required by a growing number of applications in various industries has not yet been reached. It is typically the case, for example, in melt spinning process or automotive sector. In this work, the research will be focused on processing parameters during melt mixing in twin-screw extruder to obtain a disentanglement and uniform dispersion of CNT. It includes feed method of CNT (through a masterbatch or by direct melt mixing), feed position, screw profile, feed rate, screw speed, profile temperature, residence time. The relationship between these tailored parameters and the effective dispersion of CNT will be evaluated through an optical control system. This system detects on a processed film via a camera the number and the size of defaults by unit of surface. The strategy is to develop the expertise on a commodity thermoplastic with a high consumption and a large variety of applications. It’s why the polypropylene was an ideal choice for this study. Its apolar behavior makes the objective even more likely complex. Different grades will be evaluated to identify the influence of resin’s viscosity, correlated with melt mixing parameters. In this context, Nanocyl will be able to develop customized masterbatches dedicated to the final applications, with on the enhancement of CNT’s dispersion.