Infrared heating assisted thermoforming of polypropylene clay nanocomposites

Abstract

The objective of this work is to study the influence of nanoclay addition in PP sheet during infrared (IR) heating assisted thermoforming process. The effect of nanoclay on viscoelastic, friction and dimensional characteristics during sheet forming was examined. The result indicated that the nanoclay addition improves the sagging (sagging depth and sagging disintegration) and plugging (plug depth and friction) properties during sheet forming. The plugging properties of nanoclay filled PP sheet resulted in the improved physical characteristics (minimal change in thickness (Δt) and % di-mensional elongation) when compared with unfilled PP sheet. The nanoclay filled formed PP sheet resulted in improved tensile and dynamic mechanical properties when compared with unfilled formed PP sheet