Effect of Magnesium Oxysulfate (MOS) Morphology on the Crystallization, Mechanical, and Rheological Properties of Polypropylene/mos Composites

Polypropylene (PP) composites containing magnesium oxysulfate particle (MOSp), magnesium oxysulfate whisker (MOSw), or magnesium oxysulfate sector (MOSs) were prepared via melt blending method. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that three magnesium oxysulfate (MOS) fillers all dispersed homogeneously in PP matrix and displayed vague and fuzzy interfaces. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WXRD) patterns showed that MOSp induced the most amount of β-PP, which was supported by polarized light microscopy (PLM) photographs. Moreover, PLM photographs also showed that the presence of MOSp, MOSw, or MOSw decreased the PP spherulites, especially for MOSp. As such, mechanical tests showed that incorporation of MOSp into PP matrix greatly improved the impact strength and least lowered the nominal strain at break. The yield strength and Young’s modulus of composites were greatly enhanced with MOSw. Two possible reasons for this phenomenon are rigidity of MOSw and microstructure of composites. Rheological properties were measured via small amplitude oscillatory shear. The results showed that PP melts containing MOSw exhibited significant yield stress and “shear-thinning” behaviors, which indicated the formation of MOSw network and the transition from “liquid-like” PP matrix to “solid-like” composites. The rheological results greatly proved the enhancement in tensile properties of MOSw-incorporated composites.