Studies on the Effect of Reactive Polypropylene on the Properties of Filled Polyolefin Composites. Part 1. Advantages of Solid-Phase-Grafted Maleated Polypropylene Over Melt-Phase-Modified Polymers

The results summarize the problem associated with grafting of maleic anhydride (MAH) on polypropylene (PP) in the melt phase and also describe a new method for grafting PP with MAH in the solid phase. The effectiveness of the solid phase modified maleated polypropylene (MAH-PP) as interphase modifier has been documented by comparing the properties of calcium carbonate filled polypropylene composites (PP-CaCO3) treated with solid phase modified MAH-PP with that of the melt phase modified MAH-PP treated composites. The solid-phase modification of PP by MAH is nontoxic and is also free from unreacted MAH. The modifier also improves the tensile strength and impact resistance of unmodified PP-CaCO3 composites.