Study on the processing properties of poly(propylene carbonate)

The thermal property, mechanical property and rheological properties of poly(propylene carbonate) were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, thermo gravimetric analyzer, electronic tensile machine, melt flow rate instrument and capillary rheometer, respectively. The results showed that PPC had a lower glass transition temperature(T_g) and thermal decomposition temperature(T_d), the glass transition temperature and temperatures of weight loss ratio at 5% were 31℃ and 211.3℃ respectively; the mechanical properties of PPC was low, the tensile strength and elongation at break were 7.50 MPa and 536.63% respectively, the melt flow rate increased with the temperature; PPC was pseudoplastic fluid, and the melt apparent viscosity decreased with increasing shear rate and temperature. Thus, the flowability of PPC melt could be improved by increasing temparature and shear rate during its preparation.