Characterization of polypropylene/magnesium oxide/vapor-grown carbon fiber composites prepared by melt compounding

In this paper, we discussed the characteristics and properties of polypropylene (PP)/magnesium oxide (MgO) composites prepared by melt compounding. In addition, we also discussed the effect of adding vapor-grown carbon fiber (VGCF) to PP/MgO composite on the properties of the composites. The thermal conductivity of PP/MgO increased with MgO content. In the region of MgO content of more than 30 vol%, the thermal conductivity of PP/MgO with MgO-10 (particle size of 10 μm) is the largest by comparison of other PP/MgO with different MgO sizes. The thermal conductivity of PP/MgO became increased by adding VGCF in PP/MgO. According to the estimation of thermal conductivity using Bruggeman’s equation, no synergistic effect was observed by adding VGCF into the PP/MgO composite. The surface resistance of PP/MgO significantly decreased by adding VGCF at a content of more than 3 vol%. At VGCF content of 1 vol%, the surface resistance of the composite became large, and the value was more than 109 Ω/sq. In addition, the Non-Newtonian property of PP/MgO composite melt was enhanced by the addition of VGCF into the composite.