Mechanical properties of silver-powder-filled polypropylene composites

Mechanical properties, such as tensile and flexural properties, as well as impact behavior of silver-powder-filled isotactic polypropylene composites were investigated in the composite composition range of 0–5.6 vol% of Ag. Tensile modulus, strength, and elongation at break decreased with incorporation of silver and an increase in silver concentration. Analysis of tensile strength data indicated the introduction of stress concentration and discontinuity in the structure upon addition of Ag particles. Izod impact strength decreased sharply on addition of 0.43 vol % of Ag particles, beyond which the value decreased marginally. Both flexural modulus and strength increased with filler content due to an increase in rigidity. Surface treatment of filler marginally improved mechanical properties. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.