Mechanical properties of mica‐reinforced polypropylene composites

The influence of muscovite mica on the tensile, flexural, and mold shrinkage properties of composites with polypropylene (PP) were investigated. The best results in tensile and flexural properties at room temperature were observed for the physicochemical‐treated mica followed by silane‐treated mica. The mechanical properties could be correlated with the PP‐mica interactions, as observed in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). In the present study, with mica aspect ratio equal to about 30, the optimum performance was obtained for the average flake diameter 80 ⩽ d (μm) ⩽ 280. Finally, the results of coloration and weathering are discussed. It was found that the PP/30 percent mica formulation has superior weathering characteristics over the neat PP resin.