The Effect of Injection Moulding Temperature on PET Particles/Fibrils in PP/PET Blends and MFCs

The microfibrillar composites of polypropylene (PP)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) have been prepared by twin-screw extrusion, followed by hot stretching. The employed stretch ratio was 4. Further processing was done by injection moulding at three different processing temperatures (210ºC, 230ºC, 280ºC) on PP/PET blends with wt% 70/30 and 85/15. Establishing relationships between the processing parameters, mechanical properties and morphology of composites is of huge importance. Samples were subjected to the extensive characterization in each step of MFC preparing. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to determine the nature of the interaction between the polymers in the composites. Linear viscoelastic shear oscillations and start-up shear flow experiments were performed using a Dynamical Shear Rheometer. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) were used to investigate degradation of polymers. The crystallization and melting behaviour were investigated by Dynamic Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Influence of processing temperature on morphology was investigated by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The observations from the fracture surfaces were discussed and compared with the mechanical properties, and results have shown significantly influence of injection moulding parameters on morphology development