Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.123, No.4, 2162-2171, 2012
Investigation of Tensile Properties and Dyeing Behavior of Various Polypropylene/Amine Modifier Blends
Polypropylene is utilized in manifold applications due to its unique properties. However, its use has been limited in the textile industry because conventional dyestuffs have no affinity for this polymer. Amine modifiers, generally improve the dye-ability of polypropylene. Polyamide 6 (PA6) is a traditional amine modifier which improves the dyeing ability of polypropylene with disperse dyes. In this investigation, polyetheramine (PEA) is introduced as a novel amine modifier which improves the dye-ability of polypropylene with disperse and acid dyestuffs. To this end, the dyeing behavior as well as possible impairments of tensile properties of PEA modified polypropylene were studied and compared to PA6 modified polypropylene. As with the PA6 containing blends, the tensile properties of the incompatible PP/PEA blends decreased due to weak interfacial adhesions between the components of the blends. However, the incorporation of a compatibilizer into such blends led to better dispersions of modifiers in the matrix as well as formation of amide or imide linkages which in turn reincreased the tensile properties almost to their initial values. Both PEA and PA6 modifiers improved the disperse dye uptake of the blends. However, Only Jeffamine ED-2003 (i.e., PEA) was capable of enhance the acid dye uptake of modified polypropylene. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123: 2162-2171, 2012
Keywords:polypropylene;polyetheramine;maleic anhydride polypropylene;disperse dyestuffs;acid dyestuffs