Poly(propylene)/fly ash composites: Effect of coupling agents on mechanical properties and matrix crystallinity

Iraola-Arregui, I, Liauw, CM and Potgieter, H (2014) Poly(propylene)/fly ash composites: Effect of coupling agents on mechanical properties and matrix crystallinity. Macromolecular Symposia, 338 (1). pp. 62-71. ISSN 1022-1360

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Abstract

Poly(propylene) homopolymer/fly ash (50%wt) composites have been prepared from two samples of fly ash. One of the samples has a greater soluble group I and II metal content. A screening study indicated that Lubrizol Solplus® C800 (an unsaturated carboxylic acid coupling agent), initiated with dicumyl peroxide (DCP), conferred the best strength-toughness balance to composites produced by small scale batch mixing followed by compression moulding, i.e. long residence time in the melt. In the latter case, however the good mechanical properties were related to detachment of the interfacial region due to possible extraction of PP-C800 adduct-group I and II ion reaction products. Interfacial adhesion was arguably too high in the case of the fly ash sample bearing a lower level of group I and II ions. These deductions were also supported by DSC data. However, higher shear - low residence time processing, i.e. by twin screw extrusion and injection moulding, led to better mechanical properties being obtained from C800-DCP modification when the fly ash contained a reduced level of soluble group I and II ions. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.