MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF SILVER-POWDER-FILLED POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITES

Mechanical properties, such as tensile and flexural properties, as wel l as impact behavior of silver-powder-filled isotactic polypropylene c omposites were investigated in the composite composition range of 0-5. 6 vol % of Ag. Tensile modulus, strength, and elongation at break decr eased with incorporation of silver and an increase in silver concentra tion. Analysis of tensile strength data indicated the introduction of stress concentration and discontinuity in the structure upon addition of Ag particles. Izod impact strength decreased sharply on addition of 0.43 vol % of Ag particles, beyond which the value decreased marginal ly. Both flexural modulus and strength increased with filler content d ue to an increase in rigidity. Surface treatment of filler marginally improved mechanical properties. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.