Scratch and Nanoindentation Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Three-phase Polypropylene Nanocomposites

The carried out mechanical investigations on the prepared by our team in cooperation with our colleagues from CNR, Italy, three-phase polypropylene nanocomposites give comprehensive in formation about the micro- and nanomechanical properties and provide information for better understanding the extent of reinforcement via nanoparticles. The prepared nanocomposites have Polypropylene as matrix material and incorporate organic clay (Cloisite 30B) and MWCNT fillers. The investigation and the following comparison and analyses of the experimental results give good overview of the changes in scratch coefficient of friction, hardness and elastic moduli exhibited with variation of the fillers concentrations and presence. These results can serve as a solid basef or conducting additional experiments improvement of material design parameters and further research in order to create material suitable for food packaging applications, which meets all European standards and regulations. Furthermore a material which is competitive to the conventional polymer materials we use today.