| Abstract: | Ball milling and mixing with strong shear force and strike force were applied to get fine dispersion of nano‐SiOx particles in poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) powder. Nano‐SiOx/PPS composites were manufactured by intensive compounding with 3 wt% nano‐SiOx particles. Effects of the ball milling dispersion on crystal behavior and impact strength of nano‐SiOx/PPS nanocomposites were studied. Physical mechanisms of ball milling dispersion were investigated. Evaluations based on both WAXD and DSC indicates that crystallization behavior of nano‐SiOx/heat‐treated PPS (HT‐PPS) nanocomposites was influenced by the ball milling process. Their crystallinity was 25% less while Izod impact strength was 89% better than those of as‐received neat PPS. Increased kinetic energy via ball milling by external work makes nano‐SiOx able to overcome the attraction from itself to prevent agglomeration. Interfacial bonding of two phases between nano‐SiOx and PPS was enhanced by crosslinking in HT‐PPS and reduction in surface tension of interface during ball milling. The bonds allow SiOx to dissipate energy and thus improve PPS impact strength from the addition of nano‐SiOx. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:820–825, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers |
