Fracture morphology of Mg(OH)2/polypropylene composites modified by functionalized polypropylene

The morphologies of the fracture surface under impact and flexural testing of Mg(OH)(2)/Polypropylene (PP) composites and their modified composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Experimental results indicated that addition of functionalized polypropylene (FPP) and acrylic acid (AA) and the formation of in situ FPP changed the fracture morphologies of Mg(OH)(2)/PP composites. We believe that addition of these modifiers improved the interfacial interaction and enhanced the interface adhesion between the particle and the matrix in Mg(OH)(2)/PP composites. The degree of improvement was more significant in Mg(OH)(2)/PP composites modified by the formation of in situ FPP. At low Mg(OH)(2) content, 2 phr AA exhibited a marked effect, but at high Mg(OH)(2) content, 4 phr AA afforded good effect. Due to the improved interface adhesion by interface interactions the fracture mechanism transformed from interface debonded fracture into a matrix fracture. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.