Polypropylene-based porous membranes: Influence of polymer composition, extrusion draw ratio and uniaxial strain

Several commercial grades of homo-polymer and its blends were selected to prepare microporous membranes through melt extrusion-annealing-uniaxial stretching technique (MEAUS). Branched or very fluid polypropylene was employed to modify the polymeric composition. In some blends, micro-sized calcium carbonate was added. We analysed the influence of sample composition, extrusion draw ratio, and we performed a deep study concerning the uniaxial strain rate, using in some cases extreme strain rates and strain extents. The crystalline features were studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and the morphology of porous structure was analyzed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Thermal stability and thermomechanical performance was measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic-mechanical-thermal (DTMA) study. A close relationship was found between crystalline characteristics, porous morphology and the trends registered for permeability.