Mechanism of adhesion promotion between aluminium sheet and polypropylene with maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene by γ‐aminopropyltriethoxy silane

The effect of concentration of γ‐aminopropyltriethoxy (γ‐APS) solution on shear strength of adhesive bonding between aluminium sheet and polypropylene (PP) with addition of a certain amount of maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MAH) has been investigated. It is shown that the lap shear strength is promoted obviously with pre‐treatment of aluminium sheet by γ‐APS. The maximum strength is obtained at a concentration of 3% γ‐APS solution. With further high concentration of γ‐APS, the lap shear strength decreases. The examination of the separated surfaces by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) shows that (C?O)₂? O? Al and C(?O)? O? Al are formed for adhesive bonding between PP with the addition of 20 wt% PP‐g‐MAH and aluminium sheet without pre‐treatment by γ‐APS, and that the area ratio of C related to oxygen on the separated aluminium side is 33.28%, which is obviously higher than 14% on the polymer side. As for adhesive bonding between PP with the addition of 20% PP‐g‐MAH and 3% γ‐APS pre‐treated aluminium sheet, C(?O)? N? C(?O) and C(?O)? NH are formed. The area ratio of C related to oxygen on the separated polymer side increases to 24.99%. It is proposed that γ‐APS pre‐treatment improves the distribution and shape of PP‐g‐MAH chains in the region adsorbed on the substrate and the region adjacent to this region. The chemical interactions at the interface are also proposed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.