Effect of calcium carbonate particle size and surface pretreatment on polyurethane composite Part 2 - phase behaviour

摘要

Effects of untreated calcium carbonate (CaCO3) of different sizes, and silane pretreated CaCO3 fillers on properties of polyurethane (PU) composites (PU/CaCO3) were investigated. Small angle X-ray scattering research of phase structure and morphology has shown significantly stronger influence of the CaCO3 nanofillers than the CaCO3 microfiller on a crystallisation process (domain/grain restructurisation) of the PU matrix. This influence also increased with higher filler loading. Wide angle X-ray diffractograms investigations proved that the presence of nanofiller in the PU composites affects the nucleation and crystal growth of polyester segment domains. The conclusion is that the nanoparticles of CaCO3 filler are situated preferably in the polyurethane soft segment domains and decrease the crystallite size of polyester domains.