Fast Analytics of High-Impact Polypropylene (HIPP)
Giuseppe Antinucci, Andrea Pucciarelli, Antonio Vittoria, Francesco Zaccaria, Gaia Urciuoli, Christian Ehm, Felicia Daniela Cannavacciuolo, Roberta Cipullo, Vincenzo Busico
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide High-impact polypropylenes (HIPPs) are complex blends, featuring a crystalline isotactic polypropylene matrix and a dispersed phase consisting of an amorphous ethylene/propylene copolymer (EPR). The relative amount of EPR and its composition heavily affect the application properties of the material and need to be accurately controlled. Standard analytical methods are time- and labor-intensive and require considerable amounts of sample and of a toxic solvent, xylene. Here, we introduce an analytical approach to HIPP characterization based on crystallization elution fractionation. The approach is fast, can be operated on just a few mg of sample, and does not require sophisticated and expensive techniques.