Effect of Talc Filler Content on Poly(Propylene) Composite Mechanical Properties

Abstract

This presentation examines the effect of the micro/nano-sized talc filler on the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of the filled poly(propylene) (SABIC PP 108MF10, SABIC PP 33 MBTU [Saudi Basic Industries Corporation]) composite matrix. A range of mechanical properties were measured (tensile test, bending test, fracture toughness, notched impact strength (at the ambient temperature and −20°C), strain at break, impact strength), as well as micro-hardness testing and thermal stability from 40° C to 600°C measured by thermal analysis DTA and TGA. It was found that increasing filler content lead to a concomitant increase mechanical strength and toughness. The observed increase in tensile strength ranged from 15% to 25% (maximum tensile strength at break was found to be 22MPa). The increase in strength and toughness simultaneously lead to higher brittleness reflected in the decrease of mean impact strength from the initial 18kJ/m² (for the virgin PP sample) to 14kJ/m², i.e. a 23% decrease. Similar dependency was also obtained for the samples conditioned at −20°C (decrease of 12.5%). It was found, that with increasing degree of filling of the talc-PP composite matrix the thermooxidative stability was increased, the highest magnitude was obtained for the sample 20 wt% (482°C decomposition temperature cf. 392°C for virgin polymer).