The dielectric and mechanical properties of a potassium-titanate-whisker-reinforced PP/PA blend

Demei Yu, Jingshen Wu, Li Min Zhou, Darong Xie, Songzheng Wu

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

124 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A group of polypropylene/polyamide/potassium-titanate-whisker (PP/PA/whisker) composites was prepared by means of a Haake mixer. The whisker surface was modified using either a silane or a titanate coupling solution. The effects of whisker surface modification and whisker content on the dielectric and mechanical properties of the composites were then studied. Results show that whisker-surface modification has a remarkable influence on the properties and a properly selected coupling agent can effectively improve the dielectric stability of the composites under moist conditions. It was also found that both mechanical and dielectric properties increased with whisker content below additions of 20 phr whiskers into the PP/PA blend. However, property deterioration was observed when the whisker content was above this level. This was particularly true when water-treated specimens were tested. Microscopy studies revealed that the composite had a continuous PP phase and a dispersed PA phase. The whiskers were embedded in the PA particles exclusively at 20 phr or below. It is believed that this microstructure was caused by the strong interaction between the surface-modified whiskers and the polar PA molecules and may be responsible for the property transition observed in dielectric and mechanical tests.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)499-508
Number of pages10
JournalComposites Science and Technology
Volume60
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2000

Keywords

  • B. Mechanical properties
  • B. Moisture stability
  • D. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
  • Dielectric properties
  • Polyamide-6/polypropylene blend
  • Whisker composites

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ceramics and Composites
  • General Engineering

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