International Journal of Polymer Science
Volume 2017 (2017), Article ID 7043297, 8 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/7043297

Research Article

Effect of Quinacridone Pigments on Properties and Morphology of Injection Molded Isotactic Polypropylene

Mateusz Barczewski,¹ Danuta Matykiewicz,¹ and Bartłomiej Hoffmann²

¹Polymer Processing Division, Institute of Materials Technology, Poznań University of Technology, Piotrowo 3, 61-138 Poznań, Poland
²R&D Project Office Laboratory, Hempel A/S, Lundtoftegårdsvej 91, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Correspondence should be addressed to Mateusz Barczewski; mateusz.barczewski@put.poznan.pl

Received 15 December 2016; Accepted 14 February 2017; Published 16 March 2017

Academic Editor: Marta Fernández-García

Copyright © 2017 Mateusz Barczewski et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Two quinacridone pigments were added (0.01; 0.05; 0.1; 0.5; 1; 2 wt%) to isotactic polypropylene (iPP), and their influence on mechanical and thermomechanical properties were investigated. Complex mechanical and thermomechanical iPP properties analyses, including static tensile test, Dynstat impact resistance measurement, and hardness test, as well as dynamic mechanic thermal analysis (DMTA), were realized in reference to morphological changes of polymeric materials. In order to understand the differences in modification efficiency and changes in polymorphism of polypropylene matrix caused by incorporation of pigments, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) experiments were done. Both pigments acted as highly effective nucleating agents that influence morphology and mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene injection molded samples. Differences between polypropylene samples nucleated by two pigments may be attributed to different heterogeneous nucleation behavior dependent on pigment type. As it was proved by WAXS investigations, the addition of γ-quinacridone (E5B) led to crystallization of polypropylene in hexagonal phase (β-iPP), while for β-quinacridone (ER 02) modified polypropylene no evidence of iPP β-phase was observed.

1. Introduction

Due to the nature of thermoplastic polymers, incorporation of additives, such as pigments or fillers, results in changes in polymeric matrix properties and structure. The influence of additives on polymeric material morphology is significant, especially for semicrystalline polymers. Isotactic polypropylene (iPP) is a typical commercially used structural polymer, often applied in injection molding processing and susceptible to heterogeneous nucleation [1–11]. iPP can crystallize into different crystalline structures, such as α (monoclinic), β (hexagonal), or γ (orthorhombic), depending on microstructural features and crystallization conditions as well as use of specially designed nucleating agents (NAs) [1, 7, 12–17]. Most of the additives may act as nucleating agents and lead to heterogeneous nucleation effect which in turn causes changes in polymer structure. They are additives which provide additional nuclei that accelerate crystallization process and promote nucleation together with crystal growth [7, 8]. High efficiency of nucleating agents allows adding even very little amounts of NAs to polymer matrix to obtain specified properties of the modified semicrystalline polymer [9–11]. Dyes and pigments also act as highly effective modifiers and nucleating agents [18]. The latest studies focus on describing pigments which promote β-nucleation of isotactic polypropylene, such as γ-quinacridone E3B, Indigosol Grey IBL, Cibantine Orange HR, Indigosol Golden Yellow IGK, and Cibantine Blue 2B [19–22]. What should be noticed is that most polymer additives incorporated into polymeric matrix to change their color are also α-nucleating agents. Quinacridone, namely, the 5,12-dihydroquino[2,3-b]acridine-7,14-dione (C₂₀H₁₂N₂O₂), is the pigment most frequently used for creating red-violet shades. Both high photo and thermal stability effect their wide application range in automotive finishes, paints, high grade printing, and plastics [23, 24]. Regardless of the crystallographic form of the pigments, different red shades may be obtained. Two most stable quinacridone phases, β and γ, result in reddish violet and red colors, respectively. Specific surface of quinacridone pigment, insoluble in polypropylene melt, allows for the epitaxial growth of polymer crystals. Different crystallographic forms of the pigment led to formulation of different polypropylene crystallization behaviors [25]. Even the slightest changes in their chemical structure resulted in significant variations in coloring efficiency, while, in case of polymer colorization, morphological and property modification of the injection molded products occurred. The aim of our studies was to assess the influence of two different commercial quinacridone pigments (β- and γ-phase) on the mechanical and thermal properties as well as structure of isotactic polypropylene. Complex evaluation of the properties’ changes and their influence on the functional quality of injection molded parts was discussed in reference to pigmentation efficiency of both quinacridone-based pigments.

2. Experimental

2.1. Materials and Sample Preparation

Commercial isotactic polypropylene Moplen HP500J with MFR = 3.2 g/10 min (230°C. 2.16 kg) from Basell Orlen Polyolefins (Poland) was modified with two quinacridone pigments: Hostaperm Red-Violet ER 02 (β-quinacridone) and Hostaprem Red E5B 02 (γ-quinacridone) delivered by Clariant (Switzerland).

Both pigments were incorporated into polymer matrix in various amounts (0.01; 0.05; 0.1; 0.5; 1; 2 wt%). Before mixing in a molten state iPP pellets were milled into powder in a Tria high-speed grinder. Then, iPP and pigment powders were premixed using a high-speed rotary mixer Retsch GM200 ( min,  rpm). Next, all blends were mixed in a molten state using a Zamak 16/40 EHD twin screw extruder operated at 190°C and 100 rpm and pelletized after cooling in a water bath. The specimens were prepared with an Engel ES 80/20 HLS injection molding machine. Injection molding process was realized with the following parameters: mold temperature = 40°C, injection speed  mm/s, forming pressure = 5.5 MPa, and cooling time  s [26].

2.2. Methods

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements were performed using a Netzsch DSC 204 F1 Phoenix® apparatus with aluminum crucibles and approximately 5 mg samples, under nitrogen flow. All the samples were heated up to 230°C and held in a molten state for 5 min, followed by cooling down to 20°C. Heating and cooling rates were equal to 10°C/min. This procedure was conducted twice to evaluate the DSC curves from the second melting procedure and gain broad information about iPP matrix modification [26].

Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXS) measurements were carried out by using a Bruker D2 PHASER apparatus with XFlash®. A monochromatic X-ray radiation with a wavelength ofλ = 1.5406 Å was used. Identification was based on a reflected X-ray peak intensity analysis at a defined 2θ angle. The following crystallographic planes for monoclinic phase of iPP were analyzed, (110), (040), and (130), and correspond to diffraction angles 14.1, 16.9, and 18.8. For the hexagonal phase crystallographic plane (300) intensities at 16.2 diffraction angle were studied. In order to obtain information aboutβ amount in crystalline polypropylene matrix, Turner-Jones equation was used [27]:

where value is estimated percentage content of hexagonal phase in crystalline polypropylene matrix, is the intensity of the diffraction peak measured for (300) crystallographic plane, and , , and are the intensities of the diffraction peaks measured at (110), (040), and (130) planes, respectively [26–30]. Evaluations were conducted in accordance with two-phase concept, in order to separate the crystalline fraction from the amorphous halo.

Tensile testing was used to study the elastic modulus, elongation at break, and yield strength. The tensile tests were performed as per ISO 527 with a Zwick/Roell Z020 tensile tester model 5101 at room temperature. The elastic modulus measurements were conducted at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min, while the elongation at break was carried out at 50 mm/min.

The impact strengths of the unnotched samples with 10 × 4 × 15 mm dimensions were measured by the Dynstat method (DIN 53453).

Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) test was performed using the Anton Paar MCR 301 rheometer equipped with a torsion DMTA measuring tool. Investigations were carried out with a constant frequency of 1 Hz and a strain of 0.01%. All samples were cooled down to −40°C and heated up to 110°C with a temperature ramp of 2°C/min.

The color of pure and modified iPP injection molded samples was evaluated according to the Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) through coordinates [31]. In this system, is the color lightness ( = 0 for black and = 100 for white), is the green(−)/red(+) axis, and is the blue(−)/yellow(+) axis. Color was determined by optical spectroscopy using X-rite SP60 spectrophotometer. The total color difference parameter () was calculated according to following formulation [32]:

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

The results of DSC investigations are presented in Table 1. The influence of the incorporation of quinacridone pigments on melting temperature (), crystallization temperature (), and heat of fusion () in a function of pigment amount was studied. It can be clearly observed that both pigments act as a highly effective nucleating agent. Isotactic polypropylene modified with both quinacridones revealed significant increase of values, even at the lowest amount of pigment (0.01 wt%). Similar tendency was observed for both pigments. The lowest amount of the additive led to a strong increase of , and subsequently the increase of pigment amount (more than 0.1 wt%) was accompanied with a gradual small increase of . Therefore, if one of the quinacridone pigments is used exclusively as a nucleating agent, it led to a decrease of the cooling time during injection molding. Moreover, the lowest amount of the additive results in the increase of polymer processability.

Table 1: Crystallization and melting parameters obtained from DSC for isotactic polypropylene with quinacridone pigments.

Sample

(°C)
(J/g)

Polypropylene (iPP)
163.4
116.3
101.7

iPP -quinacridone (ER 02)

0.01 wt%
165.3
124.8
117.9

0.05 wt%
165.7
126.0
117.7

0.1 wt%
165.5
127.2
104.7

0.5 wt%
166.3
127.9
120.3

1 wt%
165.8
129.7
108.0

2 wt%
165.7
129.6
103.3

iPP -quinacridone (E5B)

0.01 wt%
166.2
123.3
108.4

0.05 wt%
164.9
125.6
110.1

0.1 wt%
164.9
126.1
116.1

0.5 wt%
165.9
127.1
112.5

1 wt%
165.6
128.6
121.7

2 wt%
166.0
128.8
119.4

The highest increase of melting enthalpy, for iPP modified byβ-quinacridone (0.5 wt%), was observed, and forγ-quinacridone highest value of was noticed for iPP modified by 1 wt% of this additive. For all modified samples, melting enthalpy was improved in comparison to pure iPP; this fact may be related to nucleation ability of the pigments and improved crystallinity level of colored materials. Melting temperature of modified samples was only slightly higher in comparison to pure polypropylene, and the noted 3°C increase was independent of the pigment amount. It is noteworthy that, in the course of sample melting, the second peak, at 155°C, indicating crystallization of the hexagonal form of iPP, was not observed. The DSC traces recorded during second heating and cooling of pure iPP and iPP modified by both quinacridone pigments were presented in Figure 1.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 1: DSC cooling (a, b) and melting (c, d) curves for pure and modified iPP.

3.2. Wide-Angle X-Ray Scattering (WAXS)

Diffractograms made for isotactic polypropylene modified with different amounts ofβ- andγ-quinacridone were presented in Figures 2 and 3. On the basis of the WAXS investigations, strong dependence of the pigment crystallographic form on the polymorphism of the isotactic polypropylene was observed.β-Quinacridone (ER-02), as it was shown by DSC study, acted as a strong nucleating agent and promoted crystallization of iPP in monoclinicα-phase. The incorporation of the smallest amount ofβ-quinacridone led to a strong peak intensity increase, at 2 theta angle 16.9°, which corresponded to (040) crystallographic plane. No evidence of the polypropyleneβ-phase, usually observed at 16.2°, was noted. For iPP modified withγ-quinacridone (E5B), a different tendency was observed. Diffractograms depicted in Figure 3 showed distinct diffraction peak at 16.2° which corresponded to (300) iPP crystallographic plane and it was an evidence of hexagonalβ-phase crystallization of the polypropylene matrix. In comparison to the examples of the iPP modification by E3B quinacridone pigment, described in literature, a lower efficiency of theβ nucleation caused by E5B was observed [19]. The peak at 16.2° angle was not dominant for all samples, as usually observed for highly efficientβ-nucleating agents [29]. The low amount ofβ-phase detected by WAXS measurements may be attributed to the absence of the second peak at the DSC melting curves.

Figure 2: WAXS diffractograms for iPP and iPP modified withβ-quinacridone (ER 02).

Figure 3: WAXS diffractograms for iPP and iPP modified withγ-quinacridone (E5B).

The additional data presenting content of theβ-phase in the polypropylene matrix as k-value, calculated in accordance with Turner-Jones equation, was presented in Table 2. What is interesting is that the highestβ-nucleation efficiency was observed for the sample containing the lowest amount of the modifier (0.01 wt%). The increasing amount of theγ-quinacridone pigment led to gradual decrease of the iPPβ-phase amount. The k-value for iPP modified withβ-quinacridone was not presented, due to negligible amount of the iPP beta-phase.

Table 2: Content of -phase in iPP samples nucleated by -quinacridone on the basis of WAXS data.

-Quinacridone amount
Content of phase in iPP

0
0

0.01
54.1

0.05
49.3

0.1
46.5

0.5
46.8

1
46.3

2
43.0

3.3. Mechanical Properties

The influence of quinacridone pigments on mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene was assessed by means of static tensile test, as well as Dynstat impact test measurements. Tensile strength (), Young modulus (E), elongation at break (ε), and impact strength (a) mean values are listed in Table 3. The incorporation of both pigments resulted in similar changes in mechanical behavior of the samples. The samples modified byβ-quinacridone revealed slightly higher elastic modulus than those containingγ-quinacridone; however, the registered values were similar in comparison to pure iPP. Higher stiffness of iPP modified byβ-quinacridone also resulted in higher values of tensile strength. The incorporation of both pigments resulted in graduate decrease of elongation at break recorded during tensile experiment. Due to increasing α-phase crystal domains caused by the presence of the pigments, elongation at break was reduced inversely proportionally to brittleness of the samples [33]. The higher the amount of pigment is, the lower the values ofε were observed, with the exception of iPP samples modified withγ-quinacridone, which revealed lower values of elongation at break than those containing β-quinacridone. These results may be compared with impact strength values measured for iPP samples. The increasing content of both pigments caused a significant reduction of the polymeric material resistance to dynamic impact. Only in case of the sample containing the lowest amount ofγ-quinacridone (0.01 wt%), the impact strength increased in comparison to unmodified polypropylene. The increasing content of the pigments resulted in a significant reduction of impact strength with more than 50% reduction of this value observed for the highest amount of the additive. This result is in good agreement with the data presented by Sterzyński et al., as well as with the morphological analysis presented further herein [19].

Table 3: Mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene modified with quinacridone pigments.

Sample
Tensile strength
Young modulus
Elongation at break
Impact strength

(MPa)
(MPa)
(%)
(kJ/m²)

Polypropylene (iPP)

iPP -quinacridone (ER 02)

0.01 wt%
32.2 ± 0.4
1332 ± 40
199 ± 30
39.7 ± 6.3

0.05 wt%
33.1 ± 0.3
1423 ± 49
175 ± 33
43.1 ± 2.5

0.1 wt%
33.4 ± 0.2
1376 ± 44
155 ± 40
31.2 ± 7.8

0.5 wt%
34.1 ± 0.1
1421 ± 39
113 ± 41
28.3 ± 3.2

1 wt%
34.2 ± 0.2
1411 ± 32
83 ± 24
24.5 ± 2.5

2 wt%
33.6 ± 0.2
1378 ± 18
44 ± 7
15.9 ± 4.5

iPP -quinacridone (E5B)

0.01 wt%
31.5 ± 0.6
1284 ± 82
197 ± 61
45.5 ± 4.8

0.05 wt%
32.1 ± 0.2
1308 ± 73
164 ± 42
37.8 ± 7.9

0.1 wt%
32.3 ± 0.2
1317 ± 66
144 ± 36
38.4 ± 4.7

0.5 wt%
33.1 ± 0.2
1373 ± 83
99 ± 24
24 ± 2.5

1 wt%
33.1 ± 0.3
1357 ± 104
49 ± 25
20.7 ± 3.2

2 wt%
32.9 ± 0.2
1364 ± 68
26 ± 5
16.6 ± 1.1

The presented mechanical test results are in good agreement with WAXS data. The iPP modified withβ-quinacridone, which acted as a strong iPPα-nucleating agent, showed higher elastic modulus and tensile strength values in comparison to samples pigmented withγ-quinacridone. The highest impact resistance was denoted for the samples containing 0.01 wt% of E5B, that is, the material with the highest content of iPP hexagonal phase. Therefore, whenever the main reason for the incorporation of quinacridone isβ-nucleation of iPP, the amount of E5B pigment should always be the lowest possible. To conclude,β nucleation efficiency ofγ-quinacridones was the highest for low amounts of the additive (i.e., 0.001 to 0.01 wt%); thus, those samples reveal high impact resistance with increased tensile strength and higher stiffness [19].

3.4. Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis

Figure 4 illustrates the influence of quinacridone pigments addition on thermomechanical properties evaluated by DMTA. In Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the values of the storage modulus are depicted as a function of temperature. In both cases, the incorporation of pigments resulted in an increase of G ′ in the entire range of temperature measurement (−40 to 110°C). On the other hand,β-quinacridone (ER-01), which was previously defined as a highly efficient nucleating agent promoting crystallization of the iPP in monoclinic phase, led to higher increase of the G ′ values, especially in lower temperatures, thanγ-quinacridone (E5B). The above are in good agreement with DSC data. Samples revealing the highest melting enthalpy so also crystallinity level, mainly iPP containing 0.5 wt% of E5B and 1 wt% of the ER-01, exhibited the highest values of G ′. In Figures 4(c) and 4(d), the variations of the were presented as a function of the temperature and pigment amount. Two iPP transitions can be observed on the basis of the analysis in the temperature measurement range.α transition at about 80°C, corresponding to polymer rearrangements, which originate from the diffusion of the conformational defects in the crystalline phase to the crystalline-amorphous interphase, was observed. As both phases (amorphous and crystalline) are influenced by this transition, the analysis of the latter may be useful in gaining information about changes in the nucleated iPP structure [34]. Moreover, this transition, corresponding to softening point temperature, determines the end of the temperature usability range for the parts made of thermoplastic polymers.β-Transition of the iPP, corresponding to the glass transition temperature of iPP, is usually estimated on the basis of local maximum of the (near 0°C) and is connected with the amorphous parts of the iPP. It can be observed that the incorporation of pigments does not affect glass transition temperature of a modified iPP. All temperatures recorded at peak of (T) oscillated near 14°C. The differences between samples containing different amounts of quinacridones were negligible. There is an implication that the higher the value of of a material, the bigger the ability to dissipate mechanical vibrations. It was observed that pure iPP revealed higher than nucleated samples at room and higher temperatures. Considerable differences between iPP and colored samples were observed at various temperature values, dependent on the quinacridone grade. For iPP nucleated withγ-quinacridone, promotion of polymeric matrixβ-crystallization in the crossover point of (T) was measured at 39.8°C, while forβ-quinacridone, the crossover temperature was 23°C. This phenomenon may be attributed to the presence of ductileβ-iPP phase which leads to higher dissipative behavior in room temperatures. Both pigments also cause a strong increase of the softening point temperature, which may be read from iPPα-transition. The influence of the quinacridone pigments is comparable for both nucleating systems. The softening temperature evaluated on the basis of DMTA increased from 96.5 to 102°C. Lower values of at α-transition may be attributed to higher amount of crystalline phase and higher stiffness of the colored samples.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 4: Storage modulus versus temperature (a, b) and versus temperature (c, d) DMTA curves of iPP modified withγ-/β- quinacridone.

3.5. Color Evaluation

Photographs of injection molded samples containing various amounts ofβ- andγ-quinacridone pigments are presented in Figure 5. Parametrized changes of the sample color measured in , , and scale are listed in Table 4. The color saturation for both colored polypropylenes was achieved at 0.1 wt% of the pigment, in the course of changes analysis.β-Quinacridone revealed much higher drop of the parameter which might have caused the reduction of final product transparency. This effect, depending on the application, may be either advantageous or disadvantageous. The total color difference change of , observed forγ-phase quinacridone modified iPP, was more intense than forβ-phase quinacridone modified iPP. In case of γ-quinacridone addition, parameter achieved the value of 34.59 for the lowest amount of pigment (0.01 wt%). The incorporation ofβ-quinacridone similar concentration into iPP matrix gives parameter equal to 28.88.

Table 4: , , and parameters of pure iPP and iPP containing various amounts of quinacridone pigments.

Amount of pigment
-Quinacridone (E5B)
-Quinacridone (ER 02)

wt%

0 (iPP)
62.17
0.57
2.03
—
62.17
0.57
2.03
—

0.01
46.79
30.11
−7.31
34.59
44.52
18.45
−12.21
28.88

0.05
37.47
35.64
4.1
42.94
31.45
21.13
−2.82
37.28

0.1
35.06
31.16
9.43
41.54
29.32
16.44
2.22
36.48

0.5
34.45
28.43
11.2
40.36
28.64
14.61
4.67
36.45

1
35.25
29.22
11.87
40.53
28.95
15.29
5.21
36.47

2
34.17
27.35
11.29
39.84
28.28
12.77
4.29
36.09

Figure 5: Polypropylene injection molded samples containing various quinacridone pigment amounts.

4. Conclusions

The incorporation of small amount of the pigment (0.01 wt%) into semicrystalline polymeric matrix, such as isotactic polypropylene, may result in strong modification of its mechanical and thermal properties, as well as morphology.β- andγ-quinacridone pigments showed strong nucleation efficiency during modification of iPP. The addition of both pigments led to an increase of the crystallization temperature; however, their presence in polypropylene matrix provoked different crystallization effects.

β-Quinacridone (ER-01) acted as a strongα nucleating agent, whereasγ-quinacridone (E5B) may be described as a low efficiencyβ-phase nucleating agent. Itsβ-nucleation ability is much smaller than the one of anotherγ-quinacridone grade (E3B) described in literature. Colorization ability of both quinacridone pigments considered was similar and even the smallest amount of the modifier led to strong color changes.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Acknowledgments

The presented research results, executed under the subject of no. 02/25/DSPB/4310, were funded with grants for education allocated by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in Poland.

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