Effect of nucleating agent on the crystallization and mechanical behavior of poly(phenylene sulfide)/glass fiber composites

The crystallization behavior of poly(phenylene sulfide)(PPS)/glass fiber co mposites was studied using various nucleating agents. Also, the effect of v arious nucleating agents on the mechanical properties of PPS/glass fiber co mposites and their fracture morphologies was investigated. Talc, aluminum o xide (Al2O3) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) were used as nucleating agents and incorporated into the PPS/glass fiber composites. The nucleating agent cont ent was set to 0, 0.3, 0.5, 1 and 2%, respectively. The degree of crystalli nity increased with increasing talc content; however, in the case of Al2O3 and SiO2, it decreased only slightly. No severe decrease in the mechanical properties of the PPS/glass fiber composite due to nucleating agents was de tected in the case of the PPS/glass fiber/talc composite system. However, i n the case of Al2O3 and SiO2, a substantial decrease in mechanical properti es with increasing content was observed.