Viscoelastic Properties of Polypropylene Reinforced with Mica in and Transition Zones

Abstract

The viscoelastic properties of mica-reinforced polypropylene (PP) was studied in temperature range between −30°C and 120°C. WLF equation permits determining the free volume fraction in and transitions regions. It was shown that the value of this parameter is lower for transition, indicating that the free volume and thermal expansion of region is more than that of region. At a 40% loading level, it was shown that the storage and loss modulus of mica-filled PP increases dramatically (in comparison with the pure polypropylene). The relative modulus does not change significantly at glassy state but it increases for the temperature higher than . It was also shown that mica does not affect the glass transition temperature but results in an increase in transition.