title: Effect of lubricant on mechanical and rheological properties of compatibilized PP/sawdust composites.
abstract: An investigation was performed regarding the effect of compatibilizer and lubricant concentrations on the mechanical and rheological properties of polypropylene/sawdust composites using two-level factorial central composite design. Maleic anhydride grafted PP (PP-g-MA) was used as compatibilizer and the lubricant used was Struktol TPW 113. Composites without these additives were also prepared. Processing was carried out in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder coupled to a Haake rheometer. Mechanical properties were assessed from tensile tests and rheological properties were evaluated by oscillatory measurements and melt flow index (MFI) test. Tensile strength improved with increasing compatibilizer concentration in the composites and reached a maximum value in the absence of lubricant. When both additives were present tensile strength decreased, suggesting a possible interaction between lubricant and compatibilizer, reducing efficiency of the latter. The general trend observed for rheological results was a decrease in complex viscosity, storage modulus and MFI when both additives were present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Engineering, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luiz, km 235, São Carlos, SP, CEP 13565-905, Brazil. silvia.bettini@ufscar.br
authors.forename: Sílvia Helena Prado
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Bettini
authors.forename: Maria Paula Pereira
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: de Miranda Josefovich
authors.forename: Pablo Andres Riveros
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Cybele
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lotti
authors.forename: Luiz Henrique Capparelli
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Mattoso