Effect of MWCNT composition on the hardness of PP/MWCNT composites

Abstract

Polypropylene(PP) composites were fabrication with minor(5wt% and 10wt%) compositions ofMulti-Walled Carbon Nanotubes(MWCNTs) using solvent mixing method. These composites were characterized to evaluate the effect of MWCNTs on the mechanical properties of PP. Nano-indentation tests were performed on these composites to obtain the variation in hardness and elastic modulus by varying the MWCNTs compositions in PC. It was observed that, for 5% MWCNT/PP composition the elastic modulus and hardness were enhanced.Both elastic modulus and hardness increased by 21% and 27.1% respectively in comparison to pure PP while for 10wt% MWCNT/PP composite this enhancement in modulus and hardness was 27.6% and 75% respectively. Presence of MWCNTs provides resistance for the propagation of shear bonds and hence deformation of PP under external loads gets reduced.