The Influence of Glass Fiber/Glass Fiber Powder with β-Nucleating Agent on the Properties of Polypropylene

Abstract

Glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP/GF) has been widely used due to its high stiffness, but for some applications that need low-module characteristics, PP/GF will have limitations due to its lower toughness, so it is necessary to develop glass fiber-modified polypropylene with good stiffness–toughness balance performance. In this study, two average length glass fibers (4.5 mm and 12 mm) and glass fiber powder, combined with β-nucleating agent, were used to investigate the effects on the crystallization and mechanical properties of polypropylene. The results show that compared with glass fiber, glass fiber powder cooperates with β-nucleating agent reinforced polypropylene composite showed good stiffness–toughness balance performance, and β-crystals were found in the composite measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), the presence of β-crystals can improve the toughness of the composite.