On the abrasive wear behaviour of mineral filled polypropylene

The effects of mineral fillers on the wear resistance of polypropylene (PP) have been investigated. A general purpose homopolymer grade was used as the matrix. The mineral fillers investigated were talc, CaCO3, BaSO4 and fly ash, representing a range of morphology, size and hardness. The wear behaviour was assessed by pin-on-paper abrasion tests. The wear surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The addition of mineral fillers to the polypropylene matrix decreases the wear resistance under severe abrasive conditions. Under mild abrasive conditions the shape and size of the reinforcing filler influence the wear performance. The tensile strength behaviour of each composite, together with the physical properties of the fillers and a microscopic investigation into the modes of material deformation and removal are used to interpret this observed wear behaviour. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd