Effects of talc and gamma irradiation on mechanical properties and morphology of isotactic polypropylene/talc composites

Although isotactic polypropylene (iPP) has become one of the largest and fastest growing polymeric materials, some disadvantages in its properties, like poor stability to gamma (gamma) irradiation, may impede its growth in commercial use. The popularity of gamma irradiation use to sterilize iPP and iPP composites devices is increasing. The purpose of our research work was to examine the effects of talc and low dose gamma irradiation on mechanical properties and the morphology of iPP and iPP/talc composites. The samples were prepared in a Brabender kneading chamber and by compression molding on a laboratory press. The iPP and iPP/talc composites were characterized by tensile testing, measurements of notched impact strength, FTIR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and wide angle X-ray diffraction. The role of untreated talc or talc surface treated with aminosilanes as well as the influence of gamma irradiation on mechanical properties and the morphology of modified iPP is discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.