pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S02 - Films and Fibers
Keynote Presentation
 
 

Nano-Fibrillation of PET in PP Matrix: A Comparison between Nanolayer Coextrusion in-situ Fibrillated and Spunbond Pre-Fibrillated Composites

Embabi Mahmoud (1), Chen Zuolong (1), Kweon Mu Sung (1), Lee Patrick C. (1)*

(1) University of Toronto - ON - Canada

This is a comparative study where we attempt to fibrillate Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) in a Polypropylene (PP) matrix, and investigate the PET fibers’ orientation and aspect ratios under two different fibrillation methods; coextrusion in-situ fibrillation and spunbond pre-fibrillation. In coextrusion in-situ fibrillation, the PP/PET pelletized blend is fed into both extruders. The high extensional flow in the layer multipliers help elongate and orient the PET particles along the melt flow direction. The morphological development of PET in PP with increased number of multipliers affects the tensile properties of the composite. In spunbond pre-fibrillation, the blend undergoes fibrillation in the spunbond system before feeding it in fiber form to the coextrusion system, in which the multipliers help orient the PET fibers. Tensile tests were conducted to compare the elastic modulus, yield strength, and elongation at break of both composites under different numbers of multipliers. SEM morphological observations, conducted on fractured surfaces along the flow direction, illustrated PET particle elongation with added number of multipliers. Furthermore, 2D WAXD analysis was conducted to determine the degree of fiber orientation using Herman’s orientation factor.