Polycaprolactone (PCL)/alumina and PCL/niobium pentoxide composites: Rheology, crystallization, and mechanical properties

Abstract Polymeric polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix composites reinforced with alumina and niobium pentoxide were prepared in a laboratory internal mixer and studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile and impact tests, in addition to the particle distribution in the matrix. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the oxide content on the rheology, crystallization, and mechanical properties of these composites. According to the rheological analysis, the composites were well mixed and the polymer matrix used in the composites can be considered thermally stable during processing. The effect of the fillers on degradation during processing was minimal. DSC analyses indicate that, in general, the increase in the filler content does not change the crystallization temperature, irrespectively of the oxide added. For the niobium pentoxide composites, crystallinity does not appear to be affected by an increase in filler content or cooling rate. Both tensile strength and elongation at break decreased with filler addition while impact strength decreased and Young's modulus was apparently unaffected. There was good distribution of the oxide particles in the polymer matrix.