Experimental investigations of polypropylene and poly(vinyl chloride) composites filled with plerospheres

Abstract

Plerospheres, defined here as superfine spherical particles (0.5-5 m) separated from fly ash (rather than as other solid spherical particles, as some have used the term), are separated from coal fly ash but are dramatically different from it. Plerospheres can be used as polymer fillers to improve the properties of composites. With plerospheres used as fillers for polypropylene (PP) and unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (UPVC), the effects of the filler content, the particle sizes of the plerospheres, and the coupling agent on the composite properties were studied. The particle sizes of the plerospheres were 2 and 5 m. The results suggested that the notched impact properties both at a normal temperature and a low temperature and the tensile and flexural properties of plerosphere/PP increased significantly when the content was increased from 0 to 30 wt % and further increased with the addition of a coupling agent. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated that the thermal properties of the plerosphere/PP composite improved. The surface characteristics and morphology of the impact fracture surface were examined in detail with scanning electron microscopy. The rheological performance of plerosphere/UPVC pipe composites obviously improved; the plasticizing time was shortened, and the maximum torque was reduced.

Synthesis of fly ash cenosphere/polyaniline and mullite/polyaniline core–shell composites

“…The FACs are mainly composed of SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 , and can generate many hydroxyl groups on the surfaces under the action of air [32]. The coupling process can be accomplished via the chemical reaction between the alkoxy groups of silane molecules and surface hydroxyl groups of FACs, whereas other functional groups of silane, such as ethylene, amine, epoxy, thiohydroxy, etc., are remained.…”

Experimental Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Impact Modified Polyvinyl Chloride-Fly Ash Composites

“…Plerospheres are defined as superfine spherical particles (0.5 -5 microns) separated from FA. It was observed that lower torque was required with silane-coated plerospheres than uncoated plerospheres [23].…”

Characterization of the surface and physical properties of South African coal fly ash modified by sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) for applications in PVC composites

“…Research in the field of utilizing fly ash as filler in different polymeric materials is growing exponentially [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Surface treatment is a principal method applied to change the wetting behaviour of mineral or inorganic fillers.…”