The existence of carbon-carbon double bonds in the surface shealth of
fillers modified by a cold plasma in organic vapors and their chemical
reactivity have been investigated using X-ray fluorescence and XPS sp
ectroscopies. Grafting polymerization of vinyl monomers onto the plasm
a-modified fillers has been achieved. Application of plasma-modified c
alcium carbonate to sheet molding compounds resulted in a great improv
ement of the mechanical properties.