Effect of Coupling Agents on Polymer-Filler Surface Interactions, Morphology and Properties of Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastics

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)/short glass fiber (SGF) composites were prepared. The effect of fiber volume fraction on the properties of composites was investigated, and test results were compared with theorical equations. SEM micrographs confirmed the reports in other studies that the adhesion between ABS and neat glass fiber is poor. Silane coupling agents with different organofunctional groups were used to improve the interface. The role of these coupling agents was studied by comparing processability, mechanical and physical properties of the composites containing different silane-treated glass fibers. It seems that using coupling agents, especially those with more effective functional groups, reduces the deviation of properties from theory. The affinity of different functional groups to ABS, as well as the strength of chemical and physical bandings formed during the reaction of silane modification, decides the effectiveness of the relative coupling agent. By properties and morphology analysis we concluded that tricholorovinyl silane seems to be the best coupling agent, for this composite. This conclusion is supported by the theorical possibility of forming stronger bands at the interface for this specific coupling agent.