Effect of compatibilisers on mechanical properties of feldspar/polypropylene composites

Abstract

The effect of compatibilisers on mechanical, water absorption and morphological properties of feldspar/PP composites was investigated. Two types of compatibilisers namely; polyethylene co-acrylic acid (PEAA) and PP grafted-maleic anhydride (PP-g-MAH) were used in this study. The processability of the composites improved with the addition of PEAA and PP-g-MAH. The tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus and impact strength increased with the presence of both compatibilisers. Morphological investigation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the improvement in tensile strength and elongation at break was due to enhancement of the interfacial adhesion between feldspar and PP. Less percentage of water absorption was observed in feldspar/PP composites with PP-g-MAH than the feldspar/PP composites with PEAA and control composites (without compatibilizers). © 2009 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.