Thermomechanical Characterization of E‐Glass Fiber Reinforced Random Polypropylene

Abstract

AbstractThe thermomechanical properties of short glass fiber (GF) reinforced polypropylene random copolymer (PPR) composites are investigated. Four composites with different fiber content, namely 10, 15, 20, and 30 wt%, are prepared using melting mixing. For fibers up to 15 wt% the composites exhibit enhanced thermal stability as compared to the random polypropylene. The use of fibers also improve the mechanical strength of the matrix. In particular, PPR/GF30% demonstrates the highest Young modulus, yield strength, and storage modulus values, while PPR/GF10% has the best ductility among the composites. Incorporation of 10 wt% fibers also increases the yield strength and storage modulus of the PPR matrix by approximately 1.6 and 1.2 (for temperatures higher than 60°C) times, respectively. These results suggest that GF reinforced PPR is a composite suitable for advanced technological applications.