Silane treatment in polypropylene composites: Adsorption and coupling

The study of the effect of eight silane coupling agents on mechanical properties of PP/CaCO₃ composites showed that the application of certain compounds leads to the reactive coupling of the components. The adsorption of the silanes on the surface of the filler was studied by a dissolution method, while the structure of the adsorbed layer was determined by FTIR spectroscopy and GPC measurements. Model reactions and an FTIR study were carried out to reveal possible coupling reactions of PP and the active silanes. The results showed that amino-functional silane coupling agents adsorb on the surface of the filler, polycondensation taking place and a polysiloxane layer of high molecular weight forms as a result. The model reactions indicated that during processing, PP oxidizes even in the presence of stabilizers and oxygen-containing functional groups form on the polymer chains. These easily react with the amino functionality of the silane coupling agents strongly bonding the polymer to the treated filler.