Effects of Nucleating Agents on the Scratch and Gloss Propertiesof Polypropylene Composites

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Polypropylene (PP) composites are widely employed in automotive interior materials but are prone to surface scratches that adversely affect gloss. This study investigated the impact of crystallographic properties on the scratch resistance of PP composites with the incorporation of nucleating agents. The effects were comprehensively analyzed; scratch and mechanical properties are analyzed using techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), confocal laser microscopy, glossmetry, and mechanical testing. Isothermal crystallization experiments revealed that β nucleating agents delayed both crystallization initiation and termination. Avrami constant, n falls within the range of 3 < n < 4, indicating three-dimensional crystal growth. Consequently, the application of β nucleating agents significantly minimizes changed in gloss properties following scratches, attributed to reduced surface roughness alterations. This study underscored the pivotal role of nucleating agents in enhancing the scratch resistance and preserving the surface quality of PP composites for automotive interiors.