Morphology and Mechanical Properties of iPP/Silica Composites Modified with (Styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene) Grafted with Maleic Anhydride |
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| Authors: | An?ela Pustak Mirela Leskovac Iztok ?vab Vojko Musil Ivan ?mit |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Division of Materials Chemistry, Rudjer Bo?kovi? Institute, Zagreb, Croatiaapustak@irb.hr;3. Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia;4. ISOKON, Production and Processing of Thermoplastics, Ltd., Slovenske Konjice, Slovenia;5. FEB Maribor, Institute of Technology, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia;6. Division of Materials Chemistry, Rudjer Bo?kovi? Institute, Zagreb, Croatia |
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| Abstract: | The effects of different silica grades and elastomer content on interfacial properties, morphology and mechanical properties of polypropylene/silica 96/4 composites modified with added 5, 10, 15, and 20% of poly(styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene) grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) were investigated. The iPP/silica/SEBS-g-MA composites were designed by adding four silica fillers differing in size (nano- vs. micro-) and in surface properties (hydrophilic vs. hydrophobic) and SEBS-g-MA that was used as a proven effective impact modifier and compatibilizer simultaneously. The morphology of every composite was a spectrum of several morphologies rather than one exclusive morphology. Good concordance between observed and predicted morphology indicated that the morphology of a particular composite was controlled primarily by interfacial properties. Tensile and impact properties were influenced primarily by competitive effects of a stiff filler and tough SEBS-g-MA elastomer. Increased impact strength and strain at break caused by adding SEBS-g-MA indicated a significant overcoming of the elastomeric toughening effect in relation to the filler’s stiffening effect. |
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| Keywords: | Interfacial properties Mechanical properties Morphology Polypropylene Composites |
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