Effect of titanate coupling agents on mechanical properties of mica‐filled polypropylene

Abstract

The application of titanate coupling agents for the surface modification of mica filler and its reinforcement in polypropylene (PP) has been directed towards improvement in mechanical properties. Four titanate coupling agents, namely neoalkoxy tri(dioctylpyrophosphato) titanate (C1), neoalkoxy trineodecanoyl titanate (C2); bis‐(acetylacetonato)distearato titanate (C3), and bis‐(acetylacetonato)dipalmitato titanate (C4) were used in the present investigation. Mica powder (10 μm particle size) was coated with these coupling agents of varying concentration (0.5 to 1 % on the weight of filler) and then blended with polypropylene powder of 10 melt flow index. The mica (10 to 50 wt. %) filled polypropylene samples with and without coupling agents, were injection molded and the mechanical properties of the specimens tested. There is an improvement in the tensile, flexural, and impact strength of PP/mica samples coupled with titanates. The best performance in terms of yield stress and flexural strength was observed in PP/mica samples having 0.7% C1, titanate coupling agent. The fracture behavior of mica filled PP has also been studied using a scanning electron microscope.

Effect of titanate coupling agent on the mechanical properties of clay‐filled polybutadiene rubber

“…In the case of NR, there was no improvement even after treatment of clay by silane Si-69. 7,8 However, our results indicate that treatment of Si-69 imparts improvement for clays in polybutadiene.…”

“…In the present work clay was treated with a titanate coupling agent (1.0% solution). [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] The treated filler (in various percentages) was incorporated in polybutadiene rubber using a two-roll mill. Finally, the composites were molded in sheet form using a compression-molding technique at 150°C.…”

Polymer micro and nanocomposites: Structure, interactions, properties

“…In some cases hardly any change is observed in properties, or the effect can be attributed unambiguously to the decrease of surface tension due to the coverage of the filler surface by an organic substance, i.e. to non-reactive treatment [163,164].…”

Mechanical properties of mica‐filled PBT/ABAS composites

“…This technique of filler surface treatment was reported to give uniform coating of the coupling agent. 15,24 The hydrophobic character of mica clearly demonstrates the presence of an adsorbed hydrophobic species on the mica. It has been proposed that the hydrolyzable neoalkoxy group (ROÀ) of the coupling agent reacts with available proton on the mica surface giving rise to an organofunctional layer.…”

“…10,11 Mutual miscibility/adhesion of the components are crucial factors influencing the structure and properties of three component polymer systems. 12 Enhancement of mica-polymer interaction by treatment of mica with chlorinated paraffins, 13 silane and titanate coupling agents, 14,15 polypropylene matrix modifications by grafting with acrylic acid, acrylic ester, or maleic anhydride [16][17][18] has been studied.…”