A dynamic mechanical analysis of the interfacial changes induced from both the reinforcement and the matrix sides in polypropylene/surface modified talc composites

The interfacial changes associated with a series of polypropylene based composite materials with modified interphases from the reinforcement side, from the matrix side and both were studied by following their dynamic mechanical behavior. Composites consisted in an isotactic polypropylene (iPP) matrix, a series of talc with different surface functionalities (hydroxyl, chloride, n-butyl amine, and silanes) and a commercial interfacial agent form the matrix side (iPP-SA with 5% of grafts). A comprehensive interpretation of the link existing between the dynamic mechanical responses of the series of 75/25 iPP/talc composites and the molecular relaxation spectrum occurring in the polymer phase of the composites is made with emphasis on the role played by the interfacial modifications performed from each and both sides of the interphase. Dynamic mechanical analysis has been used here to study how the intended interfacial modifications affected the behavior of the composites. The efficiency of the interfacial phenomena is discussed from a phenomenological point of view as well as by considering classical criteria such as the glass transition temperature and the glass to rubbery transition. Finally, a correlation between mechanical parameters from the microscopic scale and others from the macroscopic scale appears to emerge. (C) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.