MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF PLASMA SURFACE-MODIFIED CALCIUM CARBONATE-POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITES

Calcium carbonate was surface-modified by plasma-polymerized acetylene and the effect of surface modification on the mechanical properties o f calcium carbonate-polypropylene composites was investigated. Two dif ferent plasma polymerization conditions were selected and applied. Che mical structures of plasma-polymerized acetylene products were identif ied. Mechanical and thermal properties of the composites prepared were evaluated and the effects of surface modification on the extent of ad hesion of filler to the matrix, as well as on polymer phase, were inve stigated with the help of scanning electron microscopy. Some of the co mposite samples prepared with surface-modified calcium carbonate are f ound to yield higher percentage elongations and are mechanically super ior compared to those prepared with unmodified filler.