The influence of calcium carbonate and its modifications on the extrusion process and selected properties of polypropylene cast films

Abstract

The effect of unmodified and stearic acid-modified calcium carbonate (5, 10, 20 and 30 wt%) on selected properties (tensile strength, puncture resistance, haze and gloss) and processability of polypropylene films (MVR, extensional viscosity) was investigated. The composites were obtained in the twin-screw extrusion process with cold granulation, and the films in the single-screw extrusion process, using a flat die head (so-called cast films) and a chill roll type cooling and pull-back device. It has been shown that stearic acid is an effective modifier of polypropylene processing properties both under shear and tensile flow conditions (lower extensional viscosity of films containing modified calcium carbonate).