Precipitated Calcium Carbonate as a Filler Material for Polymer : A Review

Currently numerous types of fillers materials are being used to improve the physiochemical characteristics of polymers to meet the specifications for various applications. Among variety of polymers, polypropylene being a reinforcement material is very much suitable for industrial applications and dominate the market with different filler materials. Common filler materials include talc, clay, mica, calcium carbonate, natural fibers etc. Among all filler types, calcium carbonate can be considered as sustainably and economically viable as these can be synthesized artificially (into desired shape and size) by carbon mineralization process or obtained from natural resources. The variable physicochemical properties of precipitated calcium carbonate filler allows polypropylene to be used for enormous applications. This review briefly reports the synthesis of precipitated calcium carbonate polymorphs to be used as fillers in polymers.