Experimental study of the impact and thermal properties of polypropylene/ EPDM base nanocomposites reinforced with graphene nanosheets and nanoclay

In this study, the impact strength and thermal properties of Polypropylene/ EPDM Base nanocomposites Reinforced with Graphene nanosheets and nanoclay were investigated. Compounds include 0, 1 and 2 wt% graphene, 0, 3 and 5 wt% nanoclay and 0, 5 and 10 wt% Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomers (EPDM) prepared by an internal mixer. Samples were prepared by a hot press for impact testing. Impact test and thermal analysis were performed to determine the impact strength, melting temperature and crystallization temperature of the compounds.It was found that the addition of low amounts of graphene nanosheets increased the impact strength by 38%, while the addition of high amounts of these nanosheets reduced the impact strength by 11%. The addition of nanoclay generally reduced the impact strength by 16 %. Also, the addition of EPDM increased the impact strength by 56% compared to pure PP. The results of thermal analysis show that the addition of graphene nanosheets to the polymer matrix increased the matrix crystallization temperature but had no effect on its melting temperature.

Keywords:

Impact properties , thermal analysis , graphene nanosheets , nanoclay , EPDM , polypropylene