Physical properties of PP‐g‐AA prepared by melt extrusion and its effects on mechanical properties of PP

Abstract Polypropylene grafting with acrylic acid, PP‐g‐AA (FPP), was prepared by melt extrusion. The physical properties of FPP and effect of FPP on mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) were investigated. Experimental results showed that an increase in the grafting rate of FPP resulted in an increase in the crystallization peak temperature, melt peak temperature, and degree of crystallization of PP. Double melting peaks were observed for OPP prepared by adding dicumyl peroxide into PP and FPP with low grafting rate due to the degradation of PP. As the grafting rate was increased, the double melt peaks converted into a single melt peak. It is suggest that FPP with higher grafting rate resulted in enhanced nucleation and crystallization ability of PP. The grafting of AA onto the PP chain improved the thermal stability and mechanical properties of PP materials. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2609–2616, 2001