Influence of nanoclay on rheological and mechanical properties of short glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites

The effect of nanoclays (0-5 wt%) on short glass fiber (GF)-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites is examined in this study with special emphasis on the processing, structure, tensile, and wear properties. Addition of nanoclay reduces the melt flow rate of PP and PP-GF composites; however, it improves the crystallization characteristics due to their nucleating effect. This nucleating effect of nanoclay is due to the nanolevel dispersion in polymer matrix and this phenomenon is not observed in the unmodified microclay-filled PP composites. Improved tensile properties are observed in nanoclay-filled PP-GF composites due the intercalated/exfoliated nanocomposite structure. Furthermore, the addition of nanoclay in PP-GF composites improves the wear properties.