Properties of polypropylene fibers using the green chemical orotic acid as nucleating agent

Abstract

It has been reported in the technical literature that orotic acid can be used in order to induce improved crystallization of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers like poly(L-lactic acid), polyhydroxybutyrate and poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexaonat). The expected advantage of the changed crystalline structure is a reinforcing effect of the polymers. A lot of papers reported about the application of inorganic and organic agents for acceleration of heterogeneous nucleation. This study reports on an attempt to use orotic acid as appropriate non-toxic nucleating agent for improving mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene. Special attention is given to demonstrate the effect of nucleation in a typical melt spinning process in order to improve the mechanical properties. The effects were demonstrated using rheology, thermal analysis and tensile testing.