Mechanical properties and interfacial interactions in oleyl titanate-treated blast furnace slag/polypropylene composites

In this study, the effect of oleyl titanate coupling agent (oTi) treatment of blast furnace slag (BFS) on the thermal and mechanical properties and especially on the interfacial interactions in BFS filled polypropylene (PP) composites was investigated. The crystallinity of the composites decreases with increasing oTi-treated BFS loading. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results show an effective surface modification of BFS particles. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements and scanning electron microscopy confirm good interfacial interactions between oTi-treated BFS and PP matrix. Elongation at break and elastic modulus are significantly increased up to 70% and 22%, respectively. These results are emphasized by a half-debonding angle of 37.61 degrees which indicates strong interfacial adhesion between oTi-treated BFS particles and PP matrix. These results clearly show that oTi treatment significantly improves the compatibility between BFS particles and PP matrix. These results will encourage the recycling of BFS and reducing the cost of PP composites used in many industries.