Effects of malonic acid treatment on crystal structure, melting behavior, morphology, and mechanical properties of isotactic poly(propylene)/wollastonite composites

Abstract

AbstractWollastonite is treated with a new surface modifier (malonic acid). The influence of malonic acid treatment on the crystallization and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/wollastonite composites has been studied. The results of differential scanning calorimetry, wide angle X‐ray diffractometry, and polarized light microscopy prove that malonic acid‐treated wollastonite increases the relative content of β‐crystal form of PP. The scanning electron microscopy shows that malonic acid‐treated wollastonite has better compatibility with PP matrix than the untreated wollastonite. Higher β‐phase contents, smaller spherulite sizes, and better compatibility with PP matrix of the composites containing malonic acid‐treated wollastonite result in improved impact strength and tensile strength, but lower flexural modulus. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy show that malonic acid reacts with the Ca2+ of wollastonite to form the calcium malonate, which acts as an effective β‐nucleating agent. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers