Structure and properties of polypropylene alloy in situ blends

A series of polypropylene (PP) alloys containing different ethylene contents have been prepared by the in situ sequential polymerization technique, using Ziegler–Natta catalyst (MgCl₂/TiCl₄/BMF; BMF is 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorine, as an internal donor) without any external donor. The structure and properties of PP alloys obtained have been investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results have suggested that PP alloys are the complex mixtures containing PP, the copolymer with long sequence ethylene chain, ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR), and block copolymer etc. In the alloys, PP, EPR, and the copolymer with long sequence ethylene chain are partially compatible. The investigation of the mechanical properties indicates that notched Izod impact strength of PP alloy greatly increases at 16°C/−20°C in comparison with that of pure PP. The noticeable plastic deformation is observed in SEM photograph. The increase in the toughness, the mechanical strength of PP alloy decreases to a certain extent. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4804–4810, 2006