Synergistic effect of coupling agents and fiber treatments on mechanical properties and moisture absorption of polypropylene–rice husk composites and their foam

Rice husks and polypropylene were applied as the fibers and matrix, respectively, to make composites. Polypropylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) and styrene ethylene butadiene styrene-grafted maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) were used as coupling agents. The rice husks were also treated with NaOH, silane, or NaOH + HCl + silane to enhance the effect of the coupling agents. Using a combination of 2 wt% PP-g-MA and 1 wt% SEBS-g-MA, the impact strength of the composite increased, but the tensile strength and modulus were not reduced relative to the use of PP-g-MA alone. The three treatments – NaOH, silane and NaOH + HCl + silane – and added coupling agents improved the impact strength and decreased the moisture absorption rate of the composites except for those subjected to the alkaline treatments. The foaming results showed that adding coupling agents improved the cell structure and reduced the density of the foam.     

Effect of block copolymer coupling agents on properties of mica reinforced polymeric composites

In the systems of mica reinforced polymers based on polystyrene and polypropylene, block copolymers polystyrene-b–polyisoprene-b–polyvinyltriethoxysilane (PS-b–PI-b–PVTOSI) and polystyrene–polyvinyltriethoxysilane (PS-b-PVTOSI) were used as macromolecular coupling agents to treat mica. Compared to common coupling agents, e.g. A-174, A-151 and A-1100, such block copolymer coupling agents can much more effectively improve the interfacial adhesion of mica reinforced polystyrene and significantly increase the mechanical properties of the composites. In a certain range, an appropriate increase in the block lengths of polystyrene and polyvinyltriethoxysilane is desirable for the mechanical properties. The introduction of the middle flexible polyisoprene block and the increase in its length are of advantage to the impact strength of the composites. The good compatibility of the matrix polymer and the block copolymer coupling agent is in favor of the improvement in the interfacial adhesion.     

Expanded graphite nanoplatelets as coupling agents in glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composites

The interfacial adhesion between E-glass fibers and various types of nanomodified polypropylene (PP) matrices have been investigated on single-fiber model composites. In particular, an evaluation of the fiber–matrix interfacial shear strength was performed by the fragmentation tests on model composites prepared by using PP matrices containing various amounts (up to 7 wt%) of expanded graphite nanoplatelets (xGnP).The presence of xGnP in the polymer matrix resulted in a remarkable increase of the interfacial shear strength values (up to a factor of about 6 for a 7 wt% content of xGnP) if compared to neat PP. Moreover, wettability measurements in various liquids evidenced that the work of adhesion of the polymer matrix with respect to glass fiber, was improved by the presence of xGnP.     

Effect of annealing on the mechanical properties and structure of carbon-black polypropylene composites

We present the results of investigation of the behavior of mechanical and various physical characteristics of polypropylene with and without three types of fillers produced in Poland depending on the type of heat treatment. It is shown that if the content of the carbon-black filler is as high as 10%, then the composite behaves as a conductor. Thermal treatment improves all mechanical properties of materials except fracture toughness. This is also partially explained by changes in the crystal lattice. Technical University of Czestochowa, Institute of Metal Working and Plastics, Czestochowa, Poland. Published in Fizyko-Khimichna Mekhanika Materialiv, Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 75–82, January–February, 1999.     

Effect of coupling agents on the dielectric properties of CaCu3Ti4O12/PVDF composites

Phase-pure calcium copper titanate (CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂, CCTO) ceramic particles were synthesized via a sol–gel route. The CCTO was treated by bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide (Si69) to give CCTO@Si69. The dielectric composites based on CCTO (or CCTO@Si69) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) were molded with desirable dielectric properties by mechanical mixing process and hot-pressing. The structures of CCTO and CCTO@Si69 were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) energy spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. The stretching vibration of SO at 1096 cm⁻¹ in FTIR is an indication that chemical bond was formed between Si69 and CCTO. The influence of Si69 on the preparation and the dielectric properties of CCTO/PVDF dielectric composites were discussed. When the content of Si69 was 0.1 mL (relative to 1 g of CCTO), the dielectric constant (ε) (at a frequency of 1 kHz) of CCTO@Si69/PVDF composites reached the maximum value of 84, this value is 5.25 times that of an equal amount of CCTO of CCTO/PVDF composites (ε ≈ 16). The CCTO/PVDF and CCTO@Si69/PVDF composites had very stable dielectric properties over a wide range of temperatures (20–160 °C). These composites can be applied as high-energy–density capacitors in electronic and electrical engineering fields.     

Interfacial crystalline behavior in glass-fiber/polypropylene composites modified by block copolymer coupling agents

A kind of di-block copolymer polystyrene-block-poly(γ-methacryloxy-propyltrimethoxysilane) (PS-b-PMPS) with different PS block length and a kind of tri-block copolymer polystyrene-block-poly(n-butylacrylate)-block-poly(γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane) (PS-b-PnBA-b-PMPS) with different PnBA block length were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), in which PS was a ‘hard’ block and PnBA was a ‘soft’ block. The interfacial crystallization behaviors of glass fiber/polypropylene systems modified with different coupling agents MPS, PS-b-PMPS, and PS-b-PnBA-b-PMPS were investigated on different crystallization conditions. Transcrystallinity could not be induced on non-isothermal crystallization or without maleic anhydride (10%) in polypropylene, but it appeared when glass fibers were treated with common silane coupling agent γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) and di-block copolymer coupling agent PS-b-PMPS in 135 °C isothermal crystallization without shear and 150 °C isothermal crystallization with shear. However, it disappeared at the interface when the samples were treated with tri-block copolymer coupling agent (PS-b-PnBA-b-PMPS) either under static or shear-induced condition. It might be that the flexible interlayer formed by the flexible block PnBA of PS-b-PnBA-b-PMPS could relax not only the thermal stress resulted from interface temperature gradient arising from sample cooling for crystallization, but also the shear stress induced by fiber/matrix interface shear.     

Effect of ultra fine particles on the elastic properties of oriented polypropylene composites

Fine spherical particles with various diameters (70, 160 and 40 nm, and 35, 65 and 125m) were mixed with isotactic polypropylene (PP). For the oriented composites having hexagonal symmetry produced by drawing, the elastic properties were determined by five compliances,S, or stiffness constants,C. Four of these, namely,S ₃₃,S ₁₁,S ₁₃ andS ₄₄ (orC ₃₃,C ₁₁,C ₁₃ andC ₄₄) were determined for the oriented composites filled with particles whose average diameters were 7 nm and 65m. For the composites filled with the smaller particles (7 nm), all the stiffness constants (C ₃₃,C ₁₁,C ₁₃ andC ₄₄) increased with the filler content, whereas for those with larger particles (65m), this relation was reversed. The Young's moduli of the oriented composites filled with relatively small particles (7, 16 and 40 nm) in each re-stretching direction increased with increasing filler content and with decreasing filler size, whereas those of the composites filled with larger filler (35, 65 and 125m) decreased with increasing filler content and size. It was concluded that the modulus of the oriented composite is determined by three factors, namely: (1) molecular orientation of matrix polymer; (2) the volume-fraction and size of filler; and (3) the fraction of void introduced by drawing. The moduli observed for the oriented composites are well explained by an equation derived on an assumption of the independence of the three effects. It was also concluded that extremely small fillers with particle sizes comparable to that of the crystalline region in PP matrix have a prominent reinforcing effect in the oriented polymer matrix.     

Effect of coupling agents on reinforcing potential of recycled carbon fibre for polypropylene composite

Polypropylene (PP) composites reinforced with recycled carbon fibre have been prepared through extrusion compounding and injection moulding. The reinforcing potential of the recycled fibre was increased by improving the interfacial adhesion between the fibre and PP matrix and this was done by the addition of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) coupling agents. Three MAPP couplers with different molecular weights and maleic anhydride contents were considered. The effects on the mechanical properties of the composite were studied, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the fracture morphology of the tensile specimens. It was observed that with the addition of MAPP the interfacial adhesion was improved as fewer fibres were pulled-out and less debonding was seen. A microbond test was performed and a significant improvement in interfacial shear strength was measured. This resulted in composites with higher tensile and flexural strengths. The maximum strength was achieved from MAPP with the highest molecular weight. Increased modulus was also achieved with certain grades of MAPP. It was also found that the composite impact strength was improved significantly by MAPP, due to a higher compatibility between the fibre and matrix, which reduced crack initiation and propagation.     

偶联剂对EVOH/纳米SiO_2复合材料结构与性能的影响

采用不同的偶联剂KH550、KH560、KH570和KH8431对纳米SiO2进行表面改性,采用熔融共混法将未改性和改性纳米SiO2(5%(质量分数)SiO2)与EVOH共混制成复合材料,并吹塑成薄膜。利用FT-IR、TEM、SEM对不同偶联剂处理的纳米SiO2和复合材料的结构进行表征,并对复合材料的流变性能、阻隔性能、力学性能、耐热性能和透明性进行了表征。结果表明,纳米SiO2与4种偶联剂均形成化学键合,改性纳米SiO2比未改性纳米SiO2在EVOH中分散性好,加工时熔体的流动性更好。用KH550处理的纳米SiO2在EVOH中分散性最好,与EVOH能形成较大界面相互作用力,与EVOH/未改性纳米SiO2复合材料相比,EVOH/改性纳米SiO2复合材料的拉伸强度和储能模量分别提高17.2%和136%,透湿、透氧系数分别下降11.2%和9.5%,透光率达到74.9%,雾度为14.9%。     

Effect of temperature on the viscoelastic and viscoplastic behavior of polypropylene

Observations are reported on isotactic polypropylene in tensile tests with various cross-head speeds and relaxation tests in a wide interval of temperatures ranging from room temperature to 120°C. A constitutive model is derived for the viscoelastic and viscoplastic responses of a semicrystalline polymer at arbitrary deformations with small strains. The stress–strain relations involve 6 adjustable parameters that are found by fitting the experimental data. The presence of a critical temperature is demonstrated at which some parameters of the model reach their maxima. This temperature is associated with the α-relaxation temperature of polypropylene.     

纳米蒙脱土对木粉/聚丙烯复合材料发泡性能的影响

采用高压釜间歇式发泡法,结合超临界CO2微孔发泡技术制备了发泡木粉-纳米蒙脱土(NMMT)/聚丙烯(PP)复合材料.通过对复合材料的结晶行为、流变性能、泡孔形貌及压缩性能进行分析,主要研究了NMMT对其微孔结构及力学性能的改善作用.结果 表明:NMMT的引入使木粉/PP复合材料中PP基体的结晶速率加快,结晶度减小,有利...     

Dependence of dielectric properties on the crystallinity of ceramic/polymer composites

Effects of ZnNb(2)O(6) content and crystallinity of polymers on the dielectric properties of ZnNb(2)O(6)/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) composites were investigated at microwave frequencies. With increasing ZnNb(2)O(6) content, the dielectric constant (K) of the composites increased, whereas the dielectric loss (tanδ) and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (TCF) decreased. The tanδ of the composites with amorphous PS was lower than those of the composites with semi-crystalline PP and PTFE. For the composites with semi-crystalline PTFE and PP, the tanδ was strongly dependent on the degree of crystallinity of composites. Several types of theoretical models were applied to predict the effective dielectric properties of the composites. Typically, K of 5.73, tan δ of 1.45 x 10(-3), and TCF of 2.66 ppm/°C were obtained for the PP composites with 0.5 volume fraction V(f) of ZnNb(2)O(6).     

碱处理对SF/PP木塑复合材料力学性能的影响

采用不同碱处理浓度、处理时间对剑麻纤维(SF)进行表面改性,通过与聚丙烯树脂(PP)混合、塑炼、模压成型制备SF/PP木塑复合材料。研究了剑麻纤维(SF)表面的碱处理方法、含量对SF/PP木塑复合材料力学性能的影响,借助光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜对SF纤维和复合材料的冲击断面进行微观结构分析。结果表明:碱处理能够提高SF/PP木塑复合材料的力学性能。在碱浓度为10%时,处理时间为4h,SF含量为20%时,冲击强度为15.78kJ.m-2达到最大值,弯曲强度和弯曲模量随着SF含量的增加出现增大的趋势。     

Effect of coupling agents on the thermal conductivity of aluminum particle/epoxy resin composites

In this study, four kinds of coupling agents (CA), i.e., γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH-550), (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (KH-560), isopropyl tri(di(2-ethylhexyl)pyrophosphate)titanate (NDZ-201), isopropyl tri(di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate)titanate (NDZ-102), were used to investigate their influences on the thermal conductivity and morphology of aluminum (Al) particle reinforced epoxy composite. The results indicate that the thermal conductivity of the composites increases with increasing Al particles concentration up to 48 vol.%; the surface modification of Al particles has an appreciable effect on the thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivities of the composite containing 48 vol.% Al particles treated with the KH-550, KH-560, NDZ-201, and NDZ-102 couplers, are 1.29, 1.48, 1.27, and 1.36 W/m K, respectively, corresponding to 1.03 W/m K of that without surface treatment. Furthermore, the concentration of CA has an influence on the thermal conductivity of the composites.     

Effect of compatibilization on mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene–soy flour composites

A new biobased composite was developed by adding soy flour (SF) to polypropylene (PP). This composite shows an enhanced tensile strength and modulus but decrease in elongation at break. The compatibilizer (coupling agent) appears to have a synergistic effect on tensile strength. The presence of the compatibilizer improves the dispersion of SF in the PP matrix. The addition of glycerol plasticizer to the composite improves the processability resulting in improved performance, as compared to composites without glycerol plasticizer. The optimal compatibilizer content appears to be 6%.     

功能化聚丙烯对纳米SiO2/聚丙烯复合材料性能的影响

以环氧功能化聚丙烯(PP-g-GMA)作为纳米SiO2/PP复合材料的增容剂,研究了PP-g-GMA对复合材料力学、结晶和流变性能的影响.研究结果表明,PP-g-GMA的加入使PP复合材料的拉伸强度、冲击强度提高;使PP的结晶峰温明显提高,使复合材料的储能模量和复合黏度均明显高于纯PP.     

Effect of coupling agent on natural fibre in natural fibre/polypropylene composites on mechanical and thermal behaviour

To enhance the adhesion between the natural fibre and the thermoplastic matrix, a coupling agent of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene MAPP is applied. In literature, there are different guidelines of the optimum percentage required of MAPP. Therefore, a systematic work is carried out to optimise the MAPP percent with respect to the type of the natural fibre. Different parameters are investigated namely; Coupling agent ratio to the fibre (0%, 6.67%, 10%, 13.3%, 16.67%), coupling agent source, fibre type (flax, hemp, sisal), and fibre content (30%, 50%). Composite is produced using a kneader and the resulting material is assessed mechanically, thermally, microscopically and for water absorption. For different MAPP source and the natural fibre type, optimum MAPP to fibre ratio is found in average to range between 10% and 13.3% according to the investigated property (stiffness, strength and impact). Increase of MAPP is found to decrease the melting temperature. The thermal behaviour is also linked to the copolymer molecular weight.