Comparative experimental studies of phosphate glass fiber/polypropylene and phosphate glass fiber/natural rubber composites

Abstract

Phosphate glass fiber (PGF)-reinforced polypropylene (PP)/natural rubber (NR)-based unidirectional composites with four levels of fiber loading (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) were fabricated by compression molding. The influence of the addition of fiber loadings on the mechanical properties such as tensile strength, bending strength, tensile modulus, and percentage elongation at break of the composites was investigated. Based on the fiber loading, 20% PGF-reinforced PP composites yielded better mechanical properties compared with the PGF/NR composites. Degradation tests of the composites were performed in aqueous and soil medium, and it was found that PGF/NR composites lost much of its original strength and modulus compared with that of the PGF/PP composites. Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of PGF/PP and PGF/NR systems was investigated using the single-fiber fragmentation tests. The IFSS of PGF/PP and PGF/NR systems appeared to be 5.5 and 1.1 MPa, respectively.