Abstract
This study aims to evaluate potential methodologies for improving the performance of polypropylene (PP) matrix composites
by the addition of carbon fibre and kaolin fillers, processed using a twin screw extruder, and compare them with neat PP. The effect of
filler types and loading was investigated on mechanical properties such as the tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and impact strength,
evaluated by using universal testing systems. Of the two types of composites, carbon fibre reinforced composites gave the best
performance. The results showed that the addition of 30 wt% of short carbon fibre to neat PP raised the tensile modulus and flexural
modulus by 219% and 280%, respectively, compared to neat PP itself. Also, the elongation at break was reduced by 87-96% compared
to neat PP, which is attributed to such fillers restricting the chain mobility of polymer molecules. Addition of kaolin has also resulted in
improved tensile and flexural modulus up to 42% and 41%, respectively, from that of the neat PP. Izod impact test showed that the
addition of kaolin also improves impact strength by up to 10% at low content of kaolin. However, the impact strength was reduced with
increasing kaolin content above 20% by weight, due to the agglomeration of kaolin particles. For PP/carbon fibre composites, the impact
strength slightly increased when increasing the carbon fibre content from 10 wt% to 20 wt%, whereas it slightly dropped when increasing
to 30 wt%. Based on these results, overall, the addition of carbon fibre and kaolin from 10-30 wt% significantly improves the tensile and
flexural modulus properties. These fillers can be considered as promising reinforcing materials to increase the performance of
thermoplastics. These type of composite systems may encourage commodity thermoplastics to be applied for high-end applications at a
significant rate in the near future.
by the addition of carbon fibre and kaolin fillers, processed using a twin screw extruder, and compare them with neat PP. The effect of
filler types and loading was investigated on mechanical properties such as the tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and impact strength,
evaluated by using universal testing systems. Of the two types of composites, carbon fibre reinforced composites gave the best
performance. The results showed that the addition of 30 wt% of short carbon fibre to neat PP raised the tensile modulus and flexural
modulus by 219% and 280%, respectively, compared to neat PP itself. Also, the elongation at break was reduced by 87-96% compared
to neat PP, which is attributed to such fillers restricting the chain mobility of polymer molecules. Addition of kaolin has also resulted in
improved tensile and flexural modulus up to 42% and 41%, respectively, from that of the neat PP. Izod impact test showed that the
addition of kaolin also improves impact strength by up to 10% at low content of kaolin. However, the impact strength was reduced with
increasing kaolin content above 20% by weight, due to the agglomeration of kaolin particles. For PP/carbon fibre composites, the impact
strength slightly increased when increasing the carbon fibre content from 10 wt% to 20 wt%, whereas it slightly dropped when increasing
to 30 wt%. Based on these results, overall, the addition of carbon fibre and kaolin from 10-30 wt% significantly improves the tensile and
flexural modulus properties. These fillers can be considered as promising reinforcing materials to increase the performance of
thermoplastics. These type of composite systems may encourage commodity thermoplastics to be applied for high-end applications at a
significant rate in the near future.
| Original language | English |
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| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2021 |
| Event | 7th World Congress on Mechanical, Chemical, and Material Engineering - Duration: 2 Aug 2021 → 4 Aug 2021 |
Conference
| Conference | 7th World Congress on Mechanical, Chemical, and Material Engineering |
|---|---|
| Period | 2/08/21 → 4/08/21 |