Study of the mechanical properties of mica‐filled polypropylene‐based GMT composite

Abstract

Mica-filled polypropylene (PP)-based GMT (PP-mica-GMT) was prepared by a double-belt press and its mechanical properties were tested. The effect of the mica content on the mechanical properties of PP-mica-GMT was investigated. It was found that with a lower mica content in matrix the tensile and flexural properties were improved; however, at a high mica content level, the tensile and flexural properties decreased. With respect to the impact strength, there is a maximum value at an approximate 20 wt % mica content level. These results were attributed to the influence of mica on fiber-matrix adhesion. It is most likely that low mica content enhances fiber-matrix adhesion; however, high mica content is unfavorable to fiber-matrix adhesion. Maleic anhydride-grafted PP (MPP) was used to enhance the fiber-matrix adhesion at a higher mica loading level for PP-mica-GMT. With increasing MPP content in the matrix, the tensile properties were significantly improved, whereas the Izod impact strength decreased. In addition, with 5 wt % MPP and 40 wt % mica in the PP matrix formulation, the effect of the mica particle size and glass fiber content on the mechanical properties of PP-mica-GMT was investigated.

Hybrid Glass Mat-reinforced Polypropylene-Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

“…They measured increases of 1015% in the tensile modulus of the corresponding hybrid long glass fiber (LGF) composites with glass fiber fractions of between 4 and 15 vol%, which is again a greater increase than would be expected on the basis of simple micromechanical models. Zhao et al [4] have also obtained similar results in glass fiber-reinforced iPP containing mica fillers, although they also observed a decrease in flexural strength and modulus for mica concentrations above 10 wt%. The strength variations were attributed in this latter case to modified fibermatrix adhesion in the filled matrices.…”

Polypropylene hybrid composites reinforced with long glass fibres and particulate filler

“…Thus, it seems that filler particles induce particle debonding, which may explain the decreased mechanical properties like strength and fracture toughness. This view has already been suggested in other studies of SGF reinforced ABS/CaCO 3 [10] and glass mat reinforced PP/mica [11] hybrid composites. These conclude that fillers may cause premature fibre debonding under loading, due to void formation around particles near fibres, or due to direct contact between particles and fibres.…”

“…Such multicomponent hybrid composites based on poly(butylene terephtalate) (PBT) [8], acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene co-polymer (ABS) [9,10] and PP [7,11] matrices have been studied. However, hybrid reinforced composites form a complex system and there is inadequate data available about phenomena behind the property changes due to the addition of particulate fillers to the fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites.…”

Effect of Particle Size and Concentration on Mechanical and Electrical Properties of the Mica Filled PVC

“…The tensile strength of the composite totally depends on the strong adhesion of filler and polymer and the wetting ability of the polymer. For good wetting low surface tension, low viscosity of the polymer matrix and similar polarities of both the phases are essential [4] . Normally thermosetting polymers are low viscous liquids and are converted to solids by crosslinking and many of thermosetting polymers are polar in nature.…”