Polymer Powders Prepared Via Mechanochemical Method And Their Reinforcement In Silicone Rubber

Polycarbonate (PC), Poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK) micron-sized powders and mechanochemically activated waste tire powder (WTP) were prepared through pan-type milling equipment at ambient temperature. Stress-induced mechanochemical change and microstructure change of PC and PEEK were studied using GPC, DSC, and WXRD etc. Mechanochemical devulcanization and degradation of waste tire rubber were analyzed, based on the increase in the content of the soluble or sol components extracted by xylene. PC powder were introduced into silicone rubber matrix as a filler to replace part of fumed silica, and the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the resultant composite were studied. The reinforcement of WTP in silicone rubber was also studied.PC experienced slight mechanochemical degradation caused by pan-milling, resulting in decrease in molecular weight and down-narrowing of molecular weight distribution. Long milling time possibly increased the free volume, which was attributed to chain-end defects resulting from scission of macromolecular chain. Pan milling caused decrease in glass transition temperature.PEEK, during pan milling, experienced not only mechanochemical degradation, but also amorphorization of crystallite due to collapse of crystal structure. Crystallinity of PEEK dropped sharply from 46.19% before milling to 35.69% after...