pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: G15 - Reactive processing
Oral Presentation
 
 

Influence of molecular weight and crystalline structure on rheological behavior of controlled-rheology-polypropylene using viscosity modifiers

Hadimani Imam Khasim Rajasaheb (1)*, Siddiqui Inaamul Haq siddiqui (1)

(1) SABIC - Riyadh - SaudiArabia

Abstract: Results of experimental studies of free-radical-induced degradation of polypropylene (PP) in the melt phase are presented. Experiments were carried out in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder and single screw extruder. The initiator, luperox 101 and trigonox 301 were used as a radical generator. Concentration of the peroxide was in the range 0.03–0.14 %wt. Melt flow index, mechanical, thermal and rheological properties were measured to see the effect of initiator concentration, temperature (200 and 230 °C) and screw rpm (70 and 100 rpm). Initiator concentration of the peroxides and initial melt flow of PP was the most significant variable. Melt flow index increased with initiator concentration. Reaction temperature and screw rpm had no significant effect on the melt flow index of extrudate. This was attributed to the minimum residence time in the extruder being sufficient for all degradation reactions to be completed. Degraded resins had more Newtonian behavior than the original resin. Viscosity reduced with peroxide concentration. Melting point of degraded resin remained relatively constant at different levels of peroxide but the crystalline fraction increased slightly. No significant change of the mechanical properties was seen up to 0.1 % wt of peroxide. Beyond 0.1 %wt elongation at break and impact strength reduced considerably. The rheological PDI determined by Mod Sep method were compared to MWD obtained by GPC.