Effect of nucleating agent on the crystallization and mechanical behavior of poly(phenylene sulfide)/glass fiber composites

The crystallization behavior of poly(phenylene sulfide)(PPS)/glass fiber composites was studied using various nucleating agents. Also, the effect of various nucleating agents on the mechanical properties of PPS/glass fiber composites and their fracture morphologies was investigated. Talc, aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) and silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) were used as nucleating agents and incorporated into the PPS/glass fiber composites. The nucleating agent content was set to 0, 0.3, 0.5, 1 and 2%, respectively. The degree of crystallinity increased with increasing talc content; however, in the case of Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 , it decreased only slightly. No severe decrease in the mechanical properties of the PPS/glass fiber composite due to nucleating agents was detected in the case of the PPS/glass fiber/talc composite system. However, in the case of Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 , a substantial decrease in mechanical properties with increasing content was observed.