Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1466584 | Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing | 2012 | 9 Pages |
Abstract
Two melt mixing methods generating flow with different characteristics are compared to study the dispersion of 5% w/w carbon nanofibers in polypropylene, namely conventional twin-screw extrusion and the simple application of a converging/diverging flow sequence to the composite melt. The effect of nanofiber surface modification and compatibilization with polypropylene modified with maleic anhydride is also studied. The dispersion of the nanofiber agglomerates through the polymer, the electrical properties of the resulting composites and nanofiber/polymer interface achieved under the different mixing conditions are analyzed. The converging/diverging flow sequence generated a better dispersion as compared with the twin-screw extruder.
Keywords
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Materials Science
Ceramics and Composites
Authors
Rui M. Novais, José A. Covas, Maria C. Paiva,