Crystallization of PP in PP/Ni composites and its correlation with tensile properties

The effect of nickel (Ni) powder on crystallization of polypropylene (PP) in PP/Ni composites is studied through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction techniques. Interpretation of crystallization exotherm peaks in terms of nucleation and growth rates of crystallization, crystallite size distribution, and crystallinity indicated differences in the morphology of PP in all the composites. Crystallinity and tensile behavior decreased on nickel addition. There is a good qualitative agreement in the crystallinity determined by X-ray diffraction and DSC exotherms, and the variation in both cases, with the volume percent of filler is similar. An attempt has been made to correlate the various tensile properties with the crystallization parameters such as the crystallinity and crystallite size distribution.