Influence of the Composition of Polypropylene/Organoclay Nanocomposite Fibers on their Tensile Strength

The statistical method “Experimental Design” was applied to optimization of weight composition of isotactic poly(propylene)/organoclay (iPP/org.clay) nanocomposite fibers from the standpoint of achieving the desired tensile strength at break as one of the significant mechanical properties. These properties were studied on fibers prepared from samples of iPP/org.clay nanocomposites of differing compositions. According to the statistical program, there were thirteen samples prepared containing the organoclay filler,NANOFIL, in the concentration range 0.5 to 4.9 wt%, and compatibilizer, an iPP grafted with maleic anhydride (iPP‐g‐MA) of concentration from 1 to 5 wt%. The samples were spun, and the obtained fibers underwent measurements of tensile strength at break, σ. Evaluation of the obtained data, led to the establishment of an optimal compatibilizer to filler ratio (Comp./Fill.) of 0.16 to 2.76, for which the tensile strength is higher than for unfilled iPP fibers.