Characterization of Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Polycarbonate/PP-g-MA Blends

Polymer blending is a process of combining two or more types of polymer in order
to achieve the desired properties rather than developing new polymer. This study is
conducted to characterize the thermal conductivity properties and tensile strength
properties of polymer blend consisting of polypropylene and polycarbonate.
Polypropylene-grafted-maleic anhydride was chosen as compatibilizer to improve
the miscibility of the blend. Eight different weight composition ratios of the blend
are designed which are 90/5/5, 85/10/5, 75/20/5, 65/30/5, 90/10/0, 80/20/0, 70/30/0
and 60/40/0 (in PP/PC/PP-g-MA respectively). The glass transitional and melting
temperatures of PP, PC, and PP-g-MA were obtained by differential scanning
calorimetry (DSC) and the values were consistent with literature. Then, the polymers
will be compounded in twin screw extruder. Samples for thermal conductivity test
are fabricated by compression moulding. Lab testing will be done on the samples to
determine the value of thermal conductivity of each formulation by using ASTM
E1225 -04 Standard Test Method for Thermal Conductivity of Solids by Means of
the Guarded-Comparative-Longitudinal Heat Flow Technique. Samples for tensile
strength test are prepared by injection molding machine and the testing is done
according to ASTM 0638-10 Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of
Plastics.