Study of scratch resistance in homo- and co-polypropylene filled with nanometric calcium carbonate

In this study, homo- and co-polypropylene were modified by nanometric calcium carbonate and the effect of additive on scratch resistance was evaluated. Results of this study show that the length of scratch curvature can be considered as an acceptable criterion to evaluate the scratch resistance of polymers. Also, it was found that addition of calcium carbonate to homo-polypropylene increases scratch resistance of this polymer, but its effect on co-polypropylene is insignificant. Based on the results of this work, one may claim that incorporation of nanometric particles with good adhesion to the matrix and well dispersion might be effective in enhancement of scratch resistance. Formation of shear bands was found as the major deformation mechanism in scratching of homo- and co-polypropylene. In addition, debonding of reinforced particles from the matrix and cavitation of rubber particles, in the case of co-polypropylene, ease plastic deformation and thus, reduce the scratch resistance.