Calcium Lactate as Renewable Filler of Polypropylene: Thermal, Morphological and Mechanical Properties

Buncha  Suksut; Paweena  Khamsiang; Chanita  Sinsawat; Nattarika  Kesorn

Authors

Buncha Suksut Materials and Process Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok Rayong Campus, Ban Khai, Rayong 21120, Thailand
Paweena Khamsiang Materials and Process Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok Rayong Campus, Ban Khai, Rayong 21120, Thailand
Chanita Sinsawat Materials and Process Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok Rayong Campus, Ban Khai, Rayong 21120, Thailand
Nattarika Kesorn Materials and Process Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok Rayong Campus, Ban Khai, Rayong 21120, Thailand

Keywords:

Biocomposite, Renewable filler, Calcium lactate, Polypropylene, Crystallization

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared with calcium lactate (CL) at various loading levels (10-40 wt%) by melt mixing then injection molding. The resulting properties of composites were investigated by melt flow index, optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, tensile, flexural and impact mechanical tests. The tensile/flexural moduli increased with increasing CL content, while the elongation at break decreased with increasing CL content. The highest tensile/flexural strengths and impact strength were found at 10 wt% CL content. The crystallization of PP initiated at higher temperature as a result of CL addition. The smaller spherulite size with the presence of CL provided the higher tie molecules, thus improving impact strength. The influence of the maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as coupling agent on the properties of PP containing 10 wt% CL content was examined. The results revealed that the MAPP gave an insignificant improvement in the final properties of the composites.

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