A study on effect of mineral additions on the mechanical, thermal, and structural properties of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) composites

Fillers play a major role in determining the properties and behavior of polymer composites. In this study a series of polybutylene terephthalate composites are fabricated using mica and talc particles as filler materials. The effects of these two different minerals on the mechanical, thermal and structural properties of composites are investigated. Comparative analysis shows that both the fillers have different effect on tensile strength and elongation at break. The experimental results when compared with theoretical predictions reveal high level of interfacial interaction in both the composite systems. The interaction parameter B derived using Pukanszky equation is found to be higher in mica filled composites which is in agreement with its better mechanical response. Microscopic observation by SEM reveals that both fillers exhibit different fracture micromechanics leading to different reinforcing effects in PBT.