Micro-structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of injection-molded glass fiber/nanoclay/polypropylene composites

Abstract

Hybrid composites of PP/NC/GF were prepared by extrusion and injection molding. Molded specimens were analyzed by XRD, SEM, and TEM, together with characterization of thermal and mechanical properties. XRD results revealed that the interaction between NC particles and the PP matrix results in intercalation of the polymer chains, which increases the clay interlayer distance. TEM results revealed NC particle intercalation. TGA results showed that the incorporation of clay into the GF composite improves the thermal stability of the material. The initial thermal decomposition temperatures also shifted to higher values. Incorporation of GF into PP lowers the tensile strength of the binary composite, indicating poor fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion; however, introducing NC increased the strength of the ternary composites. Tensile modulus was enhanced with the incorporation of GF and further increased with an introduction of NC. Flexural strength and flexural modulus are both enhanced with an increase in fiber loading. The addition of clay nanoparticles further improved these properties.

Damping Analysis of Some Inorganic Particles on Poly(butyl-methacrylate)

“…The glass transition temperature (T g ) of the composites, taken at the maximum value of the tan δ, is determined by the DMA [25,26]. As observed from Figure 5a, increasing the mass fraction of Fe 3 O 4 shifted the curve peak to low temperatures, with the incorporation of 1% Fe 3 O 4 into the PBMA matrix leading to the greatest decrease in T g , referring to neat PBMA.…”

Effect of compatibiliser on the properties of polypropylene/glass fibre/nanoclay composites

“…In order to measure the interlayer distance using the diffraction peak and its position in an XRD pattern, the Bragg's equation is typically employed [7] . Details of this equation have been explained by Rahman et al [11] .…”

“…A number of other researchers also began an investigations with various types of polymer nanocomposites [7][8][9] . Recently, it has been observed that by hybridising nanoparticles into the matrix of fibre-reinforced composites, synergistic effects may be achieved [10][11][12] . Mohan and Kanny [13] in their work, combined PP/NC composite with chopped GF.…”

Preparation and properties of polypropylene-asphaltene composites

“…In order to upgrade the properties of PP to match the profile of a typical engineering thermoplastic, proper fillers or reinforcements are incorporated into the PP matrix . Thus, composites of PP with a number of fillers have been prepared and studied in literature .…”

“…The effect of the silane modification of an organoclay on the properties of polypropylene/clay composites was further investigated by Joo et al Very good tensile properties were measured for the composites. Hybrid composites of PP with glass fiber and nanoclay were prepared by Rahman et al , and their microstructural, thermal, and mechanical properties were studied. It was found that the thermal stability of the material was improved and flexural strength and modulus were both enhanced.…”