(164ac) Dynamical Rheological Property and Microstructure Development of Pp/Nano-Caco3 Composite along Twin-Screw Extruder

Polypropylene (PP)/nano-calcium carbonate (CaCO3) composite was compounded in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. Samples were taken at four locations along the extruder. Dynamical rheological properties of samples were measured using a dynamical rheometer and their microstructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results demonstrated that both storage modulus, loss modulus, and complex viscosity of samples and the size of nano-CaCO3 particles decreased along the extruder. The relationship between dynamical rheological property and microstructure development was analyzed. The complex viscosity of the samples taken after turbine mixing elements decreased a slightly larger due to a large decrease of the mean diameter of nano-CaCO3 particles from 140.3 nm to 70.2 nm.