Effect of Cloisite® 20A Reinforced Polypropylene Nanocomposite for Thermal Insulation

This study quantified how the degree of cloisite
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20A nanoclay was dispersed in polypropylene matrix with maleic grafted anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) and how it influenced the morphology, mechanical, and thermal properties using melt intercalation processing method. The polypropylene nanocomposites (PPNCs) were prepared with different ratios (100/0/0, 95/4/1, 93/4/3, 91/4/5, 89/4/7 and 86/4/10) of the polypropylene (PP), maleic grafted anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) used as compatibilizer and cloisite
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20A (C20A), with the same processing conditions. The characterization results revealed that X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that intercalated structures in SEM were formed with the addition of nanofiller and compatibilizer to PP matrix. PPNC with 10wt % of clay offered the lowest thermal conductivity (k) value of 0.1230W/Mk, and showed poor mechanical properties in strength, and stiffness due to high clay content in the composite. The tensile strength was improved and tensile modulus enhanced. Tensile strength and modulus were maximal for PPCN with 3wt% C20A at 44.29 (±2.26) MPa and 1.4818 (±0.428) respectively, and thermal conductivity of 0.2198 W/Mk. Hence, PPNC 3% is recommendable for thermal insulation application.