Abstract

The effects of maleic-anhydride-grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) and montmorillonite (MMT) on the wear resistance of polypropylene (PP) were investigated. The surface of MMT was modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, and the interfacial interaction between PP and MMT was improved using PP-g-MAH. Fouri-er-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to confirm that silane was grafted on the surface of MMT. The Taber abrasion test and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the wear resistance and observe the surface morphology of PP, respectively, after wear testing. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to compare the effects of PP-g-MAH and silane modification of MMT on the dispersion of MMT. The results indicated that silane was successfully grafted onto the surface of MMT. Moreover, the wear resistance of PP was improved by the addition of MMT. The wear resistance of PP composites comprising silane-modified MMT and PP-g-MAH was higher than those of other PP composites. This was attributed to silane improving the interfacial interaction between MMT and PP.

Keywords: wear;montmorillonite;polypropylene;PP-g-MAH