International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882

1038

Volume 4, Issue 10, October 2015

Tensile Strength of Synthesized Polystyrene Composites

Shahabaz Ahmad1, Md. Tanwir Alam2, Md. Arif Siddique3, Akhter Husain Ansari4
1

PG Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.

Research Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.
3
Reader, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.
4
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.

Abstract

reinforcing elements are embedded in a matrix phase.

Polystyrene is one of the most important commodity of

The final properties of composites are function of the

polymer widely used in household goods, packaging,

properties of the constituent phases, their relative

automobiles and other engineering applications. In this

amounts, as well as the geometry of the dispersed

work, four fillers calcium carbonate, graphite, mica

phase [1].Majordifferences in the behavior between

and talcum powder of micrometre size in the form of

conventional

powder with three level of concentration 1%, 2%, 3%

resultfrom the fact that the latter have much larger

by weight were synthesized with polystyrene. The

interface area per unit volume leadingto unique phase

composites were produced by in-situ polymerization

morphology [2] [3].Several procedures are known so

method and the samples were prepared by hand

far to synthesize polymer nanocomposites like melt

operated injection moulding machine. Maximum

intercalation method, solution method and in-situ

increase of 72.50% in synthesized polystyrene-talcum

polymerization [4].Polystyrene belongs to the group of

powdercomposite and minimum increase of 10.35% in

standard

case of synthesized polystyrene-mica composite are

polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinylchloride.

predicted. The order of maximum improvement in

Polystyrene is a versatile polymer whose principal

tensile strength of synthesized polystyrene is found to

characteristics include transparency, ease of coloring

be Mica powder < Graphite powder < CaCO3 powder

and processing and low cost [5]. The mechanical

< Talcum powder. Two-way ANOVA using Minitab

andrheological

15 software was used to see the contributions and

predominantly determined by its average molecular

significance of the input parameters on the output

weight; the strength improves with increasing chain

parameters. The addition of fillers are found to be

length but the melt viscosity increases as well making

significant while concentrations of fillers are also

processing difficult [6]. Polystyrene has density 1.05

significant at 5% level of significance.

g/cc, melting point 240 C and water absorption 0.03

composites

thermoplastics

behaviour

and

that

of

nanocomposites

also

includes

polystyrene

is

to 0.10.
Keywords: Composites, Polystyrene, Tensile Strength
and ANOVA.

1.1 Tensile Test

In tensile test, the specimen is pulled at a constant rate

1. Introduction

of elongation and the stress required for this

The concept of composites originated from the

deformation is measured simultaneously. The test

continuous and intense desire to tailor the structure and

continues until the center of the specimen fails.

properties of materials. In a composite, substantial

Tensile Strength:It is calculated by dividing the

volume fraction of high strength, high stiffness

maximum load in newton by theoriginal cross-

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International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882
Volume 4, Issue 10, October 2015

sectional area of the specimen (mm2). The result is

88.5 % was obtained at 0.73 wt. % organoclay by in-

generally expressed in terms of mega Pascal (MPa)

situ formed material while this method did not prove to

[7];

be efficient at high clay loadings in terms of

mechanical properties.Lapcik et al. [11] in 2008, in

Tensile Strength =
(1)
Youngs Modulus:It is also called the tensile or elastic
modulus. Youngs modulus can be calculated from the
initial straight line portion of a stress-strain curve;
tensile modulus is the slope of this line [8]. The result

their research, they examined that with the increase in

talcum (talc) content with PP composites, there is an
increase in the strength of the composites with a
simultaneous decrease in the fracture toughness and
increase in tensile strength from 15 to 25% (the
maximum tensile strength at break was found to be 22

is expressed in MPa unit;

MPa). Sreekanth et al. [12] in 2009, studied the effects

Tensile Modulus =

of mica with varying concentration 5 to 40 weight %

(2)

on mechanical, thermal, electrical, rheological and

When maximum stress occurs at break, it is designated

morphological properties of polyester thermoplastic

as tensile strength at break;

elastomer prepared by twin screw extrusion method.

Tensile Strength at Break (MPa) =

They found that the flexural strength, modulus,

(3)

electrical and thermal properties of composites were

increased with mica concentration, whereas tensile

2. Work Review
Zhao et al. [9] in 2001, studied about the mechanical
properties of mica-filled polypropylene(PP)-based
composite. First of all mica-filled polypropylene
composite was prepared by a double-belt press and its
mechanical properties were tested. It was found that
with lower mica content in matrix the tensile and
flexural properties were improved; however, at a high
mica content level, the tensile and flexural properties
decreased. With respect to the impact strength, there is
a maximum value at an approximate 20 wt % mica
content level.Ozden G [10] in 2004, studied the
synthesis and characterization of polystyrene clay
nanocomposites. This study was undertaken to prepare
polystyrene

(PS)/montmorillonite

nanocomposites

by

melt

intercalation,

(MMT)
in-situ

polymerization and masterbatch methods. At low clay

content, (<1 wt. %), in-situ formed nanocomposites
showed the best improvement in mechanical properties
including tensile, flexural, impact strength and
Youngs modulus. The maximum Youngs modulus

strength was decreased at higher concentrations.

Akinci et al. [13] in 2009, worked on the mechanical
and structural properties of polypropylene composites
filled with graphite flakes. They found that with
increasing the amount of graphite there was decrease
in elongation at fracture. If suitable coupling agents
could be added to graphite and PP mixtures, the
mechanical properties can possibly be increased.
Wong A & Park C [14] in 2012, investigated the
effects of extensional strain and strain rates on the
foamability of PStalc composites. Foaming processes
were observed in situ for PStalc composites with
different surface treatment, size, and weight content of
talc under extensional stress. Talcum with the largest
particle size produced the highest cell densities despite
its lower talc particle density for heterogeneous
nucleation due to the higher tensile stresses generated
around them in the presence of other growing bubble
as compared to those around smaller talc particles
whilethe extensional stress caused the decrease of local
pressure needed to induce nucleation around the
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International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882
Volume 4, Issue 10, October 2015

smaller talc particles, so the effects of talc size became

3.3Experimental Procedures

less apparent. Chatterjee A & Mishral S [15] in 2013

3.3.1 Washing of styrene: Styrene monomer is taken

explored

into separating funnel and shaken with 10% solution of

about

the

(CaCO3)/Polystyrene

Nano-Calcium

core-shell

carbonate

nanoparticle.

All

NaOH in water. This method is suitable for water

composites were prepared by mixing nano-CaCO3 with

insoluble monomer. The inhibitor reacts with alkali

0.105.0 wt% loading on Brabender Plastograph. The

and the reaction product being water soluble, comes

interaction between nano- CaCO3 particles and matrix

out of the monomer phases and can be removed along

were significantly improved.

with the aqueous phase. On allowing standing after

through shaking, the monomer and alkali solution

2.1 Purpose of the Study

separate. The alkali solution is removed from the

In the present research, the effects of different

additives and their concentrations on tensile property

separating funnel and washing with alkali is repeated

twiceto obtain pure styrene in this work.

of synthesized polystyrene polymer matrix composites

produced through in situ polymerization method is

3.3.2 Synthesis of polystyrene composites by in-situ

explored and the properties of the output parameters of

polymerization

the composites are analyzed by a software Minitab

Calculation of initiator:Through literature it has

15 using analysis of variance (ANOVA).

found that 0.011 g BPO is required for 5.5 ml of

monomer. Hence in this case 1.3g of BPO is

3. Experimental

requiredfor 650ml of monomer.

Calculation of styrene and each additive (powder):

3.1 Input and Output Variables

Table1 Input and Output Variables
Input Variable

Output
Variable

Filler Materials

Respective amounts of additives are given below

in Table 2.
Density of styrene = 0.909g/cm3
Volume of styrene=650ml

Graphite Powder,

Mass of styrene = 0.909x650 = 590.85g

Mica Powder,
Talcum Powder,

Tensile

CaCO3

Strength

Filler

1%, 2%, 3%

Concentration

By Weight

Stirrer Speed

Table 2 Quantity of Additives used

Mass of Styrene (in

Mass of Additives (by

grams)

Weight)

80050 rpm

3.2 Materials and Equipments

1.Matrix(styrene monomer):Styrene, the monomer

used in polymerization to make polystyrene.

2. Methanol
3.Acetone
4.Benzoyl peroxide(BPO)
5. Glassware and equipment

in

in grams

percentage
1

5.9085

590.85

590.85

11.817
5.9085
17.7255

590.85

Before preparation of the composites, pure PS was

synthesizedat 90C with BPOas the initiator. The
polymerization time was approximately 3 hours and
the initiator concentration was according to the
quantity

of

styrene

experimental setup.
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monomer.

Figure1

shows

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International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882
Volume 4, Issue 10, October 2015

MOTOR

MECHANICAL
STIRRER

SPEED
REGULATOR

HEATING PLATE

Figure 1Experimental setup

Synthesis

of

in-situ

ounce hand operated injection moulding machine

polymerization basically involved thedispersion of

using the fabricated die.During moulding; barrel

additives

temperature 210C, mold temperature 30Cwere taken

in

polymer

styrene

composites

followed

by

by

Figure 2 UTM-G-410B

free-radical

polymerization initiated by the addition of BPO.

for the preparation of each sample.

Styrene monomer containing the desired amount of

additives was mechanically mixed by stirrer for 30
minutes at room temperature in order to obtain better
dispersion. The benzoyl peroxide in calculated
quantity was then added to the mixture to initiate the
Figure 3 Sample before tensile test

polymerization which took place at 90C at constant

speed (80050 rpm) of stirrer in each case for
approximately three hours till the monomer solution
becomes viscous i.e.; completion of the reaction. After
completion of the reaction add to the contents of
beaker about 250 ml of methanol (non solvent) and

Figure 4Sample after tensile test

doing mild agitation with glass rod in beaker. The

methanol along with composites are collected into a
plate and left to dry for about 48 hours.

5. Results and Discussion

5.1 Tensile Test

3.4 Sample Preparation

Tensile test was performed on UTM G-410B (Fig. 2)

The composites obtained at the end of polymerization

having maximum load of 5 kN. The test was carried

were kept in an oven at 120C for 2-3 hours to

out at speed of 2 mm/min at atmospheric condition

complete polymerization and remove the remaining

(250C). The size of the specimen was prepared

moisture and liquid styrene. Then the products were

according to ASTM D 638 Type I.

ground and subsequently injection molded in a full

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Volume 4, Issue 10, October 2015

Figure 5Effect of additives on Tensile strength of synthesized polystyrene composites

Table3 ANOVA Table for Tensile Strength
Source

DF

SS

MS

F-value

P-value

% Contribution

186.755

62.252

3.91

0.048

28.85

Fillers

317.331

105.777

6.65

0.012

49.02

Error

143.187

15.910

Total

15

647.273

Filler
loading

100

Main Effects Plot for Tensile strength (MPa)

Interaction Plot for Tensile strength (MPa)

Data Means

Data Means

Filler loading (%)

40

22.13

Fillers

Filler
loading
(%)
0
1
2
3

45

38
40

34

Mean

Mean

36

32
30

35

28
30

26
0

3
m
iu
lc
Ca

ca

e
at
on
rb

te
hi
ap
Gr

a
ic
M
Ta

um
lc

w
po

r
de

25
Calcium carbonate

Graphite

Mica

Talcum powder

Fillers

Figure6 Response graphs for tensile strength

5.2 Discussion

26.95 MPa. In case of PS-graphite composites, as the

Tensile test is employed for quality assurance in parts

concentration of graphite increases to 1%, the tensile

which are subjected to tensile stresses. Fig.5 shows the

strength

effect of additives on tensile strength of synthesized

concentration of graphite to 2% and 3 %, there is a

polystyrene composites. It is seen that tensile strength

small decrement in tensile strength to 30.98 MPa and

increases with filler loading up to some extent and then

29.29 MPa. So the maximum increase is 18.25%in

decreases or going to be constant for all additives.The

tensile strength in case of PS-graphite composites. For

value of tensile strength of pure PS is found to be

PS-mica composites, as the percentage of mica

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increasesto

31.87

MPa

and

then

as

International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882
Volume 4, Issue 10, October 2015

increases to 1%, there is increase in tensile strength

current work, the increase in tensile strength is 72.50%

to29.74 MPa and then at 2% and 3% concentrations,

in

the tensile strength decreases. The maximum increase

composites at1% concentrations.This improvement

is 10.35% in tensile strength in case of PS-mica

was due to the proper synthesis of styrene in making

composites. For PS-CaCO3 composites there is an

polystyrene and polystyrene composites and then

increase in tensile strength upto 37.67 MPa at 3%

uniform mixing of filler with the matrix [3] [16]. Table

loading of CaCO3 and 39.77% in tensile strength in

3 shows two way ANOVA table for tensile strength

case of PS-CaCO3 composites was depicted. At 1%

test. From the table, it can be seen that the percentage

concentration of talcum powder in the synthesized

contributions of filler loading and fillers are 28.85%

polystyrene matrix, 46.49 MPa tensile strength was

and 49.02% respectively while percentage contribution

predicted. Further increasing the talcum powder in the

of errors is 22.13%. The filler loading is significant

PS matrix, tensile strength decreases. So the maximum

because p-value is equal to 0.048 which is less than

increase is 72.50% in tensile strength was observed in

5% and fillersarealso significant because p-value is

case

1%

equal to 0.012 which is also less than 5% at the 5%

concentration which is highest in the entire test which

level of significance.Fig. 6shows the response graphs

confirms that the composites formed by insitu

for tensile strength. Main effects plot shows that the

polymerization method exhibits maximum value at

deviation of the tensile strength from mean values with

low concentration of fillers (<1%) [10]. In-situ formed

respect to filler loading and different fillers. The non-

composites of synthesized polystyrene with graphite

parallel line in the interaction plot shows that there is

and mica powders show that there is

decrease in

interaction among the additives and the concentration

tensile strength as the concentration of fillers increases

of the filler loadings. Interaction here means that there

more than 1% but it still remains at an acceptable

is simultaneous effects of additives and concentration

level. The reasons is due to the fact that there is less

of additives. More the interaction more will be the

wettability of the particles of the mica and graphite

simultaneous effects on the values of the tensile

with the synthesized polystyrene matrix. This exhibits

strength and vice-versa were depicted.

of

PS-talcum

powder

compositesat

the

synthesized

polystyrene

talcum powder

that as the filler loading increases binding strength

between the additives and matrix decreases at higher

6. Conclusions

concentration of the filler[16].The others suitable

1. The better results are found in synthesized PS-

reasons can be stated that particle size hassignificant

talcum powder and PS-CaCO3 composites because

contribution on the tensile strength of the composites

of properly uniform dispersion of talcum powder

related with the interfacial area per unit volume.

and CaCO3 in PS matrix.

Particle agglomeration tends to reduce the strength of

2. The tensile strength of synthesized PS was

the material in other words; agglomerates may act as

increased with all the additives with a maximum

strong stress concentrators. Thereby at high filler

increase of 72.50% in synthesized PS-talcum

loadings the decrease in tensile strength can be

powdercomposites and minimum increase of

attributed to the agglomeration of fillerparticles

10.35% in case of PS-mica composites.

[3][8].Ozden [10] found that, at 0.73 weight % clay

loading, the in-situ formednanocomposites causes

3. The order of maximum improvement in tensile

strength

almost a 50% increase in tensile strength. In the

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of

synthesized

polystyrene

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International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882

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Volume 4, Issue 10, October 2015

compositesfound to be Mica powder < Graphite

powder < CaCO3 powder < Talcum powder.

[9].

Ruofei Zhao,Jin Huang;Bin Sun; Gance Dai

, vol. 82, no11, 2001, pp. 2719-2728.

4. The contribution of filler loading is 28.85% and

[10]. Ozden G, Synthesis and Characterization of

the contribution of fillers is 49.02% in case of

Polystyrene Clay Nanocomposites. Polymer 52,

tensile test, was analysed by ANOVA.

2004, 1847-1855, 4-7.

5. There was an interaction effects of additives and

filler loading in the tensile strength values.

[11]. Lubomir Lapcik, Jr., Pavlina Jindrova, Barbora

Lapcikova,

Richard

Tamblyn

Richard

Greenwood, Neil Rowson Published online 26

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