Effects of reinforcement filler and temperature on the stability of β-crystal in glass bead filled polypropylene

The effects of crystallization temperature (Tc), glass bead content and its size on the formation of β-crystal and structural stability of originally formed β-crystal in glass bead filled polypropylene (PP) were examined. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements indicated that the amount of β-phase in PP crystals was a function of the crystallization temperature and glass bead content. For a constant crystallization temperature, it was observed that the amount of β-crystal initially increased with increase in glass bead content up to 30 wt.%, and then decreased slightly with further increase in the filler content. From the DSC data, a disorder parameter (S) was derived to define the structural stability of originally formed β-crystals. The structural stability of originally formed β-crystals was enhanced with increase in either the crystallization temperature or the glass bead content. Also, the influence of glass bead size (4–66 μm) on the formation and stability of β-crystals in PP/glass bead blends was studied. Large glass bead particles suppressed the formation and decreased the stability of β-crystals.