| Abstract: | The crystallization of poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) in a polymer–magnetic Nd—Fe—B powder suspension was studied. Isothermal crystallization behavior was analyzed by way of differential scanning calorimetry, and the kinetics were described via the Avrami equation. The Avrami parameters and the crystallization times were strongly affected by both the particle size and the presence of a coupling agent coated on the filler particles. The small Nd—Fe—B particles exhibited long induction and half‐times, whereas the large particles tended to have short crystallization times. Particles ranging from 38 to 150 μ appeared to have similar crystallization times and to have no significant change in the value of Avrami index with melt crystallization temperature. As a result of these analyses, the dynamic mechanical properties were determined to correlate the fundamental polymer crystallization characteristics and the physical properties of the PPS binder. The enhancement of the wetting of the filler to the binder was promoted through the coupling agent, as confirmed by dynamic mechanical testing performed on the samples. The storage modulus typically decreased because of the presence of the uncoated small particles. Conversely, the loss modulus was enhanced because of the presence of the coated small particles in the PPS binder. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1091–1102, 2002 |
