Abstract
The interfacial structure and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/talc (mean particle size of 3.2μm) composite, in which low density polyethylene-b-acrylate copolymer (PE-diblock), polypropylene-b-acrylate copolymer (PP-diblock), and maleic anhydride-polyethylene (MAh-PE) were added, were investigated. The influence of interfacial structure formed by PE-diblock, PP-diblock, and MAh-PE in matrix on mechanical properties of the composites were discussed. Talc was surface-treated with γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPMS). The composites were prepared by twin-screw extruder. The modulus and yield strength of PP/talc composites increased with the content of the PP-diblock and MAh-PP, but decreased with the content of PE-diblock. The impact strength of the composites remarkably decreased with with the content of the PP-diblock and MAh-PP. On the other hand, impact strength of PP/GMPS-treated talc composite improved markedly by addition of PE-diblock.. Dynamic mechanical properties of PP-diblock/talc composites suggest that interaction between talc surfaces and carboxy-groups of PP-diblock became furthermore steady by treatment of GPMS. Scanning electron micrograph observation of fractured surfaces of specimens suggests that PP-diblock and PE-diblock polymers are exisiting in the interface between PP matrix and talc particles by treatment of talc with GPMS. It was clear that the mechanical properties changed according to the interfacial structure from these result.
