Author(s)

M.S. Sreekanth, V.A. Bambole, S.T. Mhaske, P.A. Mahanwar

Department of Applied Physics Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, Mumbai-400019, India.
Department Polymer Engineering & Technology Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, Mumbai-400019, India.

The performance of filled polymers is generally determined on the basis of the interface attraction of filler and polymers. Particulate filled polymer composites are becoming attractive because of their wide applications and low cost. In this study the effects of flyash with three varying particle size and filler concentrations (viz. 5 to 40 weight %) on the mechanical, thermal, electrical, rheological and morphological properties of polyester thermoplastic elastomer (Hytrel^?) was investigated. Composites of polyester thermoplastic elastomer with varying concentrations of flyash were prepared by twin screw extrusion. Mechanical properties such as flexural strength and modulus increases with filler loading, where as tensile strength is found to be decrease with increase in flyash loading. Dielectric strength of composites also increases with flyash loading. Morphological studies revealed that there is good dispersion of filler in the polymer matrix. Thermal properties were found to be improved with flyash addition. Further, it was observed that the mechanical (flexural), thermal as well as electrical properties of composites improved with decrease in particle size of filler.

Particulate composites, thermoplastic elastomers, hytrel, flyash.

M. Sreekanth, V. Bambole, S. Mhaske and P. Mahanwar, "Effect of Particle Size and Concentration of Flyash on Properties of Polyester Thermoplastic Elastomer Composites," Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, Vol. 8 No. 3, 2009, pp. 237-248. doi: 10.4236/jmmce.2009.83021.