Mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of polypropylene/kaolin composite. Part I. The effects of surface-treated kaolin and processing enhancement

All of the composites were prepared using Brabender internal mixer (50 rpm, 190 degrees C) and molded using compression mold (190 degrees C) to form test samples. The results showed that the tendency of kaolin particles to agglomerate was too strong, resulting in low strength and rigidity but fairly good toughness. To overcome the kaolin agglomerations dilemma, quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and polypropylene (PP) grafted maleic anhydride (PPgMAH) surface treatment agents were applied. Better dispersion of kaolin fillers were obtained with reduced size of the agglomerates. It was also found that nonreactive treatments enhanced the toughness of the composite remarkably, because of the softening effect that promotes plastic deformations. QAC was found to be the most effective dispersing agent of kaolin in PP matrix and contributes to 47% increment in the impact strength value compared to the untreated kaolin composite. QAC-treated kaolin also shows the most remarkable increment in melt flow index (MFI) and degree of crystallization (DOC) beyond other composites. To improve the dispersion and affinity of kaolin fillers to PP matrix, the processing enhancement was conducted at the end of the experiment. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.