Polypropylene (PP) functionalization with vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) was accomplished via a free radical process in a melt-mixer chamber, using dicumyl peroxide as the initiator. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were used to follow silane incorporation and product molecular weights. The influence of silane (0 -10.0 wt %) and peroxide (0 -1.0 wt %) concentrations on the functionalization degree and molecular weight of products was investigated. Chain-breaking reactions were present in all experiments, evidenced by smaller product molecular weights. This decrease was more pronounced for higher peroxide concentrations. Silane incorporation occurred even in peroxide absence, and it was seen to increase with increasing silane concentration.

Polypropylene (PP) functionalization with vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) was accomplished via a free radical process in a melt-mixer chamber, using dicumyl peroxide as the initiator. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were used to follow silane incorporation and product molecular weights. The influence of silane (0 -10.0 wt %) and peroxide (0 -1.0 wt %) concentrations on the functionalization degree and molecular weight of products was investigated. Chain-breaking reactions were present in all experiments, evidenced by smaller product molecular weights. This decrease was more pronounced for higher peroxide concentrations. Silane incorporation occurred even in peroxide absence, and it was seen to increase with increasing silane concentration.

Polypropylene (PP)/polyamide blends were compatibilized with PP modified with vinylsilane or maleic anhydride and ethylene-propylene random (EPR) copolymer modified with maleic anhydride. The thermal behavior, mechanical properties, and morphology of the blends were investigated. Thermal analysis showed that the polyamide crystallization temperatures shifted downward with all compatibilizers, whereas its melting behavior did not change. On the other hand, polypropylene crystallization temperatures shifted upward in all cases, except for blends containing EPR modified with maleic anhydride. Tensile strength and elongation at break increased for blends compatibilized with modified PP. Blends containing up to 7% of EPR modified with maleic anhydride did not show good yield stresses. The morphology of the blends showed a finer dispersion of the polyamide minor phase in the PP matrix.

Summary: Composites of PP reinforced with 20 wt.‐% of short glass fibers were prepared by extrusion using VTES as a coupling agent. The addition of VTES was performed via in‐situ functionalization of PP and by a two‐step process in which PP was functionalized before the composite preparation. The obtained samples were characterized using rheometry, mechanical tests and microscopy. Both processes allowed the fiber/matrix interaction to increase. It was found that the VTES content affected the viscosity of the system by means of three different mechanisms: reduction of β‐scission reactions, decrease of fiber sliding and plasticizing effect on the matrix. Whereas the first two mechanisms increased the viscosity of the final composite after unreacted VTES removal, the third one reduced the viscosity during the process and contributed to fiber‐length preservation. The effects of VTES and peroxide contents on the Young's modulus were closely related to their effects on the final fiber length, indicating the effectiveness of using VTES as a coupling agent. Comparison between in‐situ functionalization and the two‐step process with prefunctionalization showed that in‐situ functionalization led to a lower degree of chain breakage, even when it was performed in the presence of peroxide.Scanning electron micrographs of PP/glass fiber composite prepared without coupling agent.magnified imageScanning electron micrographs of PP/glass fiber composite prepared without coupling agent.

RESUMO: Polipropileno (PP) foi funcionalizado com viniltrietoxisilano (VTES) em solução e no estado fundido, utilizando peróxidos como iniciadores. A influência da concentração de silano e de peróxido sobre o grau de funcionalização foi avaliada por Espectrometria no Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FTIR). As reações feitas no estado fundido resultaram em produtos com maior grau de funcionalização. Medidas de torque e determinações de peso molecular por Cromatografia de Permeação em Gel (GPC) demonstraram a ocorrência de reações de quebra de cadeia em todos os sistemas, porém mais acentuadamente nas reações feitas no estado fundido.