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Mica reinforced Plastics
White muscovite MICA-MU® and MICA-SOFT® are technical fillers especially
recommended when reinforcement, dimensional and thermal stability
are required.
The other advantages linked to their uses are described below.
Surface treatment (Coupling)
MICA-MU® and MICA-SOFT®
are easily bondable to coupling
agents. Surface
treatment of mica is particularly useful to improve tensile and flexural
strength,
mechanical properties at high temperature and retention of properties.
Particular
suitable coupling agents are silanes and coupling polymers such as maleic
anhydride
grafted PP.
Performances of mica reinforced plastics
Reinforcement
- High rigidity at normal and high temperature
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Relative flexural modulus of mica reinforced PP renforcé (40
% by weight)
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Tensile strength
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Relative tensile strength of mica reinforced PP (40 % by weight)
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Thermal stability
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HDT (ISO 75) of mica reinforced PP (40 % by weight)
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Dimensional stability and Isotropy
- Low coefficient of thermal expansion
- Low shrinkage on demolding
- Increased creep resistance
- Excellent warp resistance
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Shrinkage anisotropy (normal and parallel shrinkage ratio: Sp/Sn)
of mica reinforced PA
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Synergistic behavior with glass
fibers
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Synergistic behavior with glass fibers
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Ageing resistance
The particularly
low iron content of MICA-MU® (Fe2O3=2
%) is a great advantage,
since iron displays a strong catalytic effect on ageing of polymers. Moreover,
the highly
oriented mica flakes layer parallel to the surface acts as a barrier to
UV.

UV resistance of mica reinforced PP |
Surface properties
- Increased surface hardness
- Increased scratch resistance
- Reduced friction and wear
- Increased adhesion of plated metals, adhesives and
paints

Peel strength of electroplated copper film is increased with the
addition of mica |
High dielectric properties
Characterized by a high breakdown voltage, high dielectric
constant, low dissipation
factor, and good arc resistance, mica is clearly superior to any other
filler for most
electrical applications.
| Dielectric constant at 25 °C |
6,5-8,7 |
| Dielectric strength at 25 °C |
60-240 kV/mm |
| Dielectric loss factor (%) |
0,1-0,4 |
| Specific resistivity |
2.1013 -1017W /cm |
Electrical properties of muscovite mica
Greatly reduced permeability
to gas and liquid
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| Hydrocarbon permeability and impact resistance
of mica reinforced crosslinked HDPE |
Excellent nucleation in structural foam
- Cellular structure more uniform
- Reduced density
- Increased impact resistance
- Reduced flammability
Acoustic performances
- Increased velocity of sound in composites (HI-FI speaker
cone)
- Increased damping properties (Insulation)
Faster molding cycles
Transparent to microwaves
Improved laser absorption and laser
marking
Applications

| |
PE |
PVC |
PP |
ABS |
Acrylic |
PA |
PC |
PS |
Polyester (saturated) |
Fluoropolymers |
PPO |
Polysulfone |
PPS |
Epoxy |
Phenolics |
UPST |
PU |
| Al(OH)3 |
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
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|
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
| Barytes |
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|
x |
x |
| CaCO3 |
|
x |
x |
x |
|
x |
|
x |
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|
x |
x |
x |
x |
| Mica |
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|
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
| Silice |
x |
x |
x |
|
x |
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|
x |
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|
x |
x |
| Talc |
x |
x |
x |
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|
x |
x |
x |
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|
x |
x |
|
x |
| Wollastonite |
|
|
x |
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|
x |
x |
x |
x |
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|
x |
x |
x |
x |
Plastic applications for extender and filler
minerals (after M. De Decker,White Minerals in plastics, Industrial Minerals,
Sept. 1999)
Additional documentation

- Properties of Mica reinforced Plastics
For additional information, please contact us:
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