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Composites of poly(vinyl acetate) filled with calcium carbonate: Microscopy, diffractometry and thermophysical properties
Author(s) -
Kovačević Vera,
Lučić Sanja,
Hace Draco,
Packham David,
Šmit Ivan
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.11534
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , scanning electron microscope , vinyl acetate , glass transition , calcium carbonate , composite number , filler (materials) , stearic acid , wetting , polymer , copolymer
Calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) is used as filler in poly(vinyl acetate)(PVAc) composites to enhance the mechanical properties. The filler is often commercially surface treated with stearic acid to optimize the interfacial bonding and wetting. The effects of the interface on properties were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of films with initial and deformed morphologies. Plasticizing additives cause a significant change in the appearance of the films and a reduction in the glass transition temperature of the matrix from 40°C to ≈ 18°C, which was not altered by further addition of the filler. A PVAc composite fracture surface shows the particles adhering well to the matrix, suggesting good adhesion and reinforcement. The SEM study is complemented by WAXD, SEM/X‐SEM, XPS, and thermal analysis.