Onset Crystallization Temperature Research Articles

Особенности кристаллизации аморфных сплавов TiNiCu с высоким содержанием меди

Alloys of the quasi-binary TiNi – TiCu system with a copper content of 25, 30, 35, and 40 at. % were obtained by planar flow casting technique at a cooling rate of 10^6 K/s in the form of ribbons 30–50 μm thick and 10–20 mm wide. The structure and phase transformations in the alloys were studied using electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that in the initial state, the alloys with 25 and 30 at.% Cu have an amorphous-crystalline structure, undergoing a one-stage polymorphic crystallization of the amorphous state on heating in a calorimeter with the formation of austenite B2 phase, which on cooling to room temperature proceeds to orthorhombic B19 phase due to the martensitic transformation. It is shown that the alloys with 35 and 40 at.% Cu at quenching become amorphous, and upon heating, two-stage crystallization occurs (primary and eutectic) with the formation of a two-phase structure - the tetragonal B11 (TiCu) phase with a small fraction of B2 phase. Moreover, an increase in the copper content leads to a decrease in the onset temperature of crystallization.

Эффективные коэффициенты диффузии и термическая устойчивость структуры металлического стекла Fe-=SUB=-48-=/SUB=-Co-=SUB=-32-=/SUB=-P-=SUB=-14-=/SUB=-B-=SUB=-6-=/SUB=-

The values of linear growth velocities of the eutectic colonies in the temperature range of 679–717 K have been determined for the first time from the electron microscopic studies of the partially crystallized samples of Fe48Co32P14B6 metallic glass. Using these data, the values of the effective diffusion coefficients governing growth have been calculated. It has been established that the temperature dependence of the effective diffusivity in Fe48Co32P14B6 glass is well approximated by an Arrhenius law and their values in the temperature range of crystallization are about 2–3 orders of magnitude smaller than those in the Fe40Ni40P14B6 commercial glass. The values of the effective diffusion coefficients at the onset crystallization temperature have been determined, the correlation between pre-exponential factors and activation energies has been found. It has been shown that the parameters which characterize the effective diffusivity in the glass investigated are in good agreement with the published data for the eutectically crystallizing metallic glasses. It has been established that the physical reason of the enhanced thermal stability of the FeCo-based glass compared with that of Fe40Ni40P14B6 is the lower atomic mobility at the glass/crystal interface.

Physicochemical Properties of Palm Kernel Oil and Palm Kernel Olein Blends

Palm kernel oil (PKO) and palm kernel olein (PKOo) have limited application due to rapid crystallisation properties and excessive foaming during heating, respectively. In this study, a series of PKO and PKOo blends were prepared at different concentration and analysed for slip melting point (SMP), solid fat content (SFC), triacylglycerols (TAGs) composition, thermal and morphological properties. The addition of 90% RBDPKOo caused the SMP to decrease from 27.8°C to 23.80°C. All the samples show steep SFC melting profile from 0°C to 30°C. The onset crystallisation temperature of RBDPKO was delayed with the addition of 90% PKOo from 9.73°C to 5.80°C and totally melted at lower melting temperatures. It was observed that the addition of RBDPKOo caused the crystals to be spherulitic, scattered and less aggregated with each other. The addition of RBDPKOo reduced the compositions of the main TAG of RBDPKO such as LaLaLa, LaLaM and CLaLa. Therefore, through blending the physicochemical properties of the RBDPKO and RBDPKOo could be changed. Hence, their applications in food could be widened.

Influence of Sb2O3 on vibrational and optical properties of TeO2-Nb2O5 glass system

Tellurite glasses containing Sb2O3 has been prepared from the conventional melt quenching technique. Optical parameters were determined from optical absorption data. Variation of optical band gap (Eopt), Urbach energy (ΔE), refractive index (n), optical basicity (Ʌ), and electronic polarizability (α) with the variation in Sb2O3 content is studied. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopic studies proposed that the glass consists of [TeO3] and [TeO4] and [SbO3] and [NbO6] structural units. The glass transition temperature (Tg), onset crystallization temperature (To), thermal stability (ΔT) of the glasses were studied by Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Glass transition temperature (Tg) decreased with increase in Sb2O3 in these glasses. The Spin Hamiltonian parameters of VO2+ ions showed a linear decrease with decrease in the Sb2O3. EPR results suggest that VO2+ occupies octahedral site with tetrahedral compression. From structural, thermal and optical studies it is clear that the variation in the Sb2O3 in the glass does affect the structural arrangement of atoms inside the glass network which results in variation in glass properties.

Textured growth of polycrystalline MAX phase carbide coatings via thermal annealing of M/C/Al multilayers

Mn + 1AXn (MAX; n = 1–3) phases are ternary layered nitride and carbide compounds featuring a combination of metallic and ceramic properties. Highly basal-plane textured and polycrystalline Cr2AlC, Ti2AlC, and Ti3AlC2 single-phase coatings have been synthesized on both amorphous and polycrystalline substrates via controlled thermal annealing of magnetron-sputtered nanoscale multilayers built by individual transition metal, carbon, and aluminum layers. Formation of substitutional solid solution carbide phases was triggered via solid-state diffusion reactions during annealing. Lower ordered Ti2AlC initially crystallized at an intermediate temperature range and was recognized as an intermediate reactant in the case of synthesizing the Ti3AlC2 312 MAX phase via annealing corresponding stoichiometric multilayers. The crystallization onset temperatures identified via in-situ high-temperature x-ray diffraction measurements were approximately 480, 660, and 820 °C for Cr2AlC, Ti2AlC, and Ti3AlC2, respectively. Contrary to the usually observed columnar structure representative of magnetron-sputtered coatings, the coatings synthesized via the current approach are composed of plateletlike, elongated crystallites. The nanoscale multilayered design stimulates the textured growth of MAX structures during thermal annealing. More specifically, the preferred crystallographic orientation relationships among the as-deposited transition metal layers, the intermediate solid solution phases, and the end-product MAX phases facilitate the growth of textured MAX phase films.

Non-isothermal crystallization behavior of Al86Ni8Y6 and Al86Ni6Y4.5Co2La1.5 melt-spun ribbons, milled ribbon particles and bulk samples consolidated by spark plasma sintering

In the present work, thermal behavior of Al86Ni8Y6 and Al86Ni6Y4.5Co2La1.5 as-cast amorphous ribbons, corresponding milled ribbon particles and spark plasma sintered samples has been studied. Activation energies of crystallization at all transition temperatures of the samples were determined by Kissinger, Ozawa and Augis-Bennett equations. The first stage of crystallization for both the as-cast ribbons, related to formation of nanocrystalline FCC Al disappeared completely in case of the milled ribbon particles and consolidated samples. In comparison to as-cast ribbons, the onset of second stage crystallization with corresponding activation energies shifted to lower values in the milled ribbon particles; whereas the onset and peak temperatures of third stage crystallization and related activation energies shifted to higher values. Formation of higher amount of crystalline phases during sintering led to decrease in all transition temperatures and corresponding activation energies of bulk samples compared to that of the milled ribbon particles.

Sputter-Deposited Titanium Oxide Layers as Efficient Electron Selective Contacts in Organic Photovoltaic Devices

Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) has recently reached power conversion efficiencies of 17.3%, making it a green technology that not only offers short energy payback times and diverse photovoltaic integration schemes, but also can deliver competitive power outputs. OPVs typically employs electron selective contact layers made from low work function n-type metal oxide semiconductors, such as titanium oxide (TiO2) or zinc oxide (ZnO), developed from a variety of deposition techniques. However, in the case of TiO2 interlayers, the appearance of unwanted s-shape characteristics has been reported extensively in the literature in the past, for a variety of different deposition methods used. It has been shown that the s-shape arises from negatively charged chemisorbed oxygen, and that it can be deactivated by UV light illumination, which, however, is hardly compatible with real-life OPV application. In this work, we introduce sputtered crystalline titanium oxide layers as efficient s-shape-free electron selective extraction layers in organic solar-cell devices. We demonstrate that the onset of crystallization takes place at substrate growth temperatures of approximately 100 °C for the TiOx thin films, and that the crystallization onset temperature correlates well with a strong increase in device performance and the removal of any s-shape characteristics. Optical, structural, compositional, and electronic energy-level characterizations of the TiOx layers are shown in the present work, and point to the formation of an oxide with a low surface-defect density, developed from the sputter–crystallization process. Importantly, well-functioning s-shape-free PTB7:PC70BM devices are demonstrated for TiOx growth temperatures of 155 °C.

Effects of Y3+on the enhancement NIR emission of Bi+-Er3+ co-doped in transparent silicate glass-ceramics for Erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA)

We study effects of Y3+ on the enhancement near-infrared emission of Bi+-Er3+ co-doped in transparent silicate glass-ceramics for optical amplifiers. The differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy to determine the effects of Y3+ on the structure of BaF2 nanocrystals in glass-ceramics. With increasing the concentration of Y3+ from 0 up to 10 mol. %, the near-infrared emission intensities of Bi+-doped, Er3+-doped and Bi+-Er3+ co-doped bands centered at 1276 and 1546 nm also increase, and the full width at half maximum is about 460 nm. At the same time, when the concentration of YF3 increases from 4 up to 10 mol. %: all the glass transition temperature, the crystallization onset temperature, and the crystallization peaks temperature increase, resulting in a shift of the 2θ with a difference Δθ = 0.3°. In addition, we study the thermal properties through differential thermal analysis curves.

Correlated Unique Variation of Electrical Resistivity to Crystallization Behavior of the Zr52.5Cu17.9Ni14.6Al10Ti5 Metallic Glass

Due to the differences between the glass and crystalline phases, crystallization of metallic glass occurs with heat release, volume shrinkage, and electrical resistivity drastic changes. Electrical resistivity of the Zr52.5Cu17.9Ni14.6Al10Ti5 metallic glass during crystallization was investigated under both continuous heating and isothermal annealing. This amorphous alloy exhibits a continuous variation instead of sharp decline when reaches the onset crystallization temperature. This unique variation was found to be related to the formation of a few quasicrystalline phases. The slower phase transformation process of this metallic glass brings lots of grain boundaries, which results in increasing of resistivity at the last stage during isothermal annealing. These results imply that electrical resistivity measurement is a more intuitive approach to investigate structure evolution of metallic glasses.

Физико-химические свойства тройных металлических систем Fe-Si-Nb и Fe-Al-Nb

The Russian Federation has a sufficient number of promising deposits of niobium raw materials which can satisfy the niobium and tantalum demands of Russian metallurgical enterprises for many decades. Ferroalloy technologists are faced with the difficult tasks of developing from various types of ore raw materials not only effective processes for its processing but also new acceptable rational compositions of niobium-containing ferroalloys. The chemical composition of niobium ferroalloy should, on the one hand, correspond to the product obtained by benefication (concentrate) and, on the other hand, satisfy the requirements of steelmakers for ferroalloys intended for microalloying niobium steel. To develop rational compositions of new niobium-containing ferroalloys in this work the physicochemical characteristics (which include crystallization temperature and density) of alloys containing 10-50% Nb, 10-40% Si, and 5-30% Al were studied. Two-component Fe-Nb metal alloys have a rational crystallization onset temperature (<1400 °С) only when the niobium content is not more than 10%. To achieve rational crystallization onset temperatures it is necessary to use complex alloys with silicon and aluminum. Studies have shown that a decrease in the crystallization onset temperature of complex niobium alloys occurs when the niobium content decreases with an increase in the concentration of silicon or aluminum. Three-component alloys Fe-Si-Nb and Fe-Al-Nb with a content of 15-20% Nb, 32-40 Si% or 12-30% Al belong to the category of low-melting ferroalloys. To achieve rational density values light metals such as silicon or aluminum must be introduced into a two-component system. The studied three-component alloys with a content of 25-40% Si or 15-30% Al have rational density values both from the point of view of their production and application to the processing of steel melt. The best physicochemical characteristics providing high service properties are possessed by complex niobium (15-20% Nb) FeNbSi alloys with 32-40% Si and FeNbAl with 15-30% Al which are recommended for widespread use in ladle microalloying of steels.

Crystallization, mechanical and electrochemical behavior of Al-Ce-TM (TM = Fe, Co, Ni and Cu) amorphous alloys

Al86Ce10TM4 amorphous alloys (TM=Fe, Co, Ni and Cu) were fabricated using melt-spin fast-quenching method. The crystallization, mechanical and electrochemical behavior of the as-spun and the post-annealed alloys were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), micro-indentation and electrochemical techniques. It was found the completely amorphous Al86Ce10TM4 alloys (TM=Fe, Co, Ni and Cu) go through two crystallization processes, where the first exothermal peak represents nucleation of nano-crystalline particles and the second exothermal peak signifies growth of the nano-crystalline precipitates. Both the nucleation and growth processes rely on diffusion-controlled mechanism. The first onset crystallization temperature Tx1 associated with activation energy E1 and frequency factor Ko1 can be used to evaluate the thermal stability of the amorphous alloys while the second onset crystallization temperature Tx2 associated with activation energy E2 and frequency factor Ko2 can be taken to judge the thermal stability of ideal amorphous-nanocrystalline mixed structure in sustaining optimized mechanical and electrochemical properties. The as-spun and post-annealed alloys exhibit higher mechanical hardness (860~1180 MPa), corrosion resistance (10-8A/cm2 ) and high temperature endurance (284, 300 and 420°C for Al86Ce10Co4 , Al86Ce10Ni4 andAl86Ce10Fe4 , respectively) compared to hardness 500~600 MPa, corrosion resistance 10-7A/cm2 and high temperature durability 200°C of traditional Al crystalline alloys, manifesting the value on scientific studies and engineering applications of the Al86Ce10TM4 amorphous alloys.

A thermal analysis study of melt-quenched Zn5Se95 chalcogenide glass

Thermal analysis of chalcogenide glass similar to other materials is of great importance in order to increase the knowledge about its phase transitions, thermal stability, etc. The current study reports on the thermal kinetics of melt-quenched Zn5Se95 chalcogenide glass using differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques under non-isothermal conditions. The glass-forming ability (GFA) and the relation between the glass transition and onset crystallization temperatures are found to show a linear behavior. In addition, Moynihan et al. Kissinger’s, and other approaches of Johnson-Mehl-Avrami utilized to determine the activation energy of the amorphous-crystalline and glass transition. It is found that the glass transition process cannot be concluded in terms of single activation energy, and that variation with the extent of conversion was analyzed using various iso-conventional methods. Therefore, the observed change of the activation energy throughout the glass transition reveals that the transition from amorphous to the supercooled liquid phase of Zn5Se95 glass is a complex process. The crystallization process at different heating rates is simulated using the Málek method, and Šesták–Berggren SB(M,N) model, in which the SB model show fairly good matching with the experimental DTA data. Moreover; the fragility index is a measure of the GFA of Zn5Se95 chalcogenide glass, which has been estimated using the glass transitions and activation energy values. We have found that the fragility index of Zn5Se95 glass values in between ∼13 and 30, depending on the heating rate, revealing that the synthesized glass is a strong liquid with excellent GFA.

Graphene Impact on Thermal Characteristics of LDPE

Graphene (Gr) spreading in low-density polyethylene (LDPE), significantly boosted thermal characteristics of LDPE/Gr nanocompounds. Recently, Gr has been focused on both academic and industrial benefits due to causing significant characteristics at a very low Gr loading. Huge surface areas and excellent characteristics of Gr enhanced thermal stability and conductivity characteristics of LDPE/Gr nanocompounds. In this research, the non-isothermal crystallization of LDPE/Gr nanocompounds was considered using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for testing the LDPE/Gr nucleation and crystallization over the raising of crystallization onset temperature Tonset. This study shows that the inclusion of Gr to LDPE nucleates crystallization through reduction of energy of activation accompanied by growing the onset temperature of crystallization. With further inclusion of Gr to LDPE, the energy of activation decreased, similar to the nucleating agents within the crystallization of nanocompounds, and likewise boosted the growth of comparative crystallinity of LDPE/Gr nanocompounds. Inclusion of Gr in LDPE, modified the thermal characteristics due to the enormous thermal stability of Gr sheets. In this research it was also found that the onset temperatures of thermal deterioration for LDPE/Gr nanocompounds were improved significantly in associate with pristine LDPE.

Static and Dynamic Thermal Properties of a Pd40Ni40Si20 Glassy Alloy

The thermal properties of a Pd40Ni40Si20 glassy alloy with the largest supercooled liquid region among the glassy alloys containing Si as a metalloid element are studied using static and dynamic measurement methods. The relatively wide supercooled liquid region of 45 K, defined by the temperature interval between the glass transition temperature (Tg) and the onset temperature of crystallization (Tx), and the viscosity of the supercooled liquid, varying from 2.7 × 1010 to 3.2 × 1011 Pa·s, make this glass suitable for the introduction of controlled pores by a viscous flow in the temperature range Tg~Tx. The obtained activation energy for crystallization, 272 ± 19 kJ/mol, is slightly higher than that of Tg (228 ± 11 kJ/mol), indicating the dominant contribution of the atomic transport barrier in the overall energy barrier for crystallization.

The Criterion for the Crystallization Ability Assessment as Applied to Borate Glass Powders and Monoliths

The glasses of three borate systems, Na2O-B2O3, K2O-B2O3 and BaO-B2O3, were studied over a wide range of the compositions by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD). The thermal parameters obtained by DTA method (the glass transition temperature, Tg, the crystallization onset temperature, Tx, and the melting temperature, Tm) were used to calculate the criteria (coefficients) characterizing glass stability against crystallization. The Lu–Liu, Weinberg and Hrubý coefficients were tested for verification of their consistency with several simple requirements. Since each of the criteria has its drawbacks, the coefficient of glass crystallization ability, Kcr, which meets all of the requirements, was also used. The advantage of this coefficient is demonstrated on the example of the glass powders and the monolithic glasses of the mentioned above borate systems.

Insights into the fivefold symmetry of the amorphous Sb-based change materials in the rapid phase change from first principles

In materials science, it is widely believed that the fivefold symmetry in the amorphous phase will suppress crystallization because of its structural incompatibility with the crystal phase. The Sb-based phase change materials dominated by the fivefold rings, however, display the ultrafast growth-dominated phase change from amorphous to crystalline phase and exhibit significant property contrast consequently when they are heated by a laser or electrical pulse. To resolve the paradox, the long-time ab initio molecular dynamics calculation is carried out to simulate the crystallization cycle of the amorphous Ge15Sb85 under non-isothermal condition. The calculation results are in a reasonable agreement with experimental data. In particular, it is found that a transient phase state exists just before the crystallization onset temperature of the amorphous Ge15Sb85, in which the predominant fivefold rings in half-chair conformation undergo rapid conversion into the puckered sixfold rings. It is further demonstrated that such rings conversion via a route of the bond exchange model involves small atomic displacements and results in the structural motif similarity between the transient and the crystalline states. This thus reduces the crystal–amorphous interfacial energy promoting crystal nucleation consequently. The subsequent electronic calculations indicated that such conversion of the dominant rings in the amorphous Ge15Sb85 may be triggered by the increased pp orbital hybridizations and modulated by the diminished sp electron mixing. It is anticipated that the findings presented will provide a stepping-stone for the rational design of the Sb-based phase change materials.

Influence of copper addition and heat treatment parameters on nanocrystallization process of Fe-Co-Mo-B-Si amorphous ribbons with high saturation magnetization about 1.6 T

In this paper the influence of copper addition on the formation of the amorphous phase and the nanocrystallization process of Fe79.8−xCo2CuxMo0.2Si4B14 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2) ribbons was described. The formation of crystalline phases was described using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffractometry, Mössbauer spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It was confirmed that the addition of copper decreases the glass forming ability, while facilitating the process of nanocrystallization. The analysis of the Avrami exponent allowed to state, that for fully amorphous alloys the crystallization of the α-Fe phase is associated with diffusion-controlled growth with decreasing nucleation rate and the Fe2B phase with interface controlled growth with increasing nucleation rate. Additionally, with increasing copper addition onset temperature of crystallization of α-Fe phase shifts to lower values, whereas for second, Fe2B phase, these changes are not so visible. Optimization of the annealing process of toroidal cores made from amorphous ribbons with different copper content allowed to obtain nanocrystalline, soft magnetic materials characterized by low coercivity ~9 A/m and high saturation induction of about 1.6 T. Analysis of transmission electron microscope images and electron diffraction confirmed that high magnetic parameters are related to the coexistence of the amorphous and nanocrystalline phases, which was confirmed also by Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Effects of the substitution of Si by P on crystallization behavior, soft magnetic properties and bending ductility of FeSiBCuPC alloys

Effects of the substitution of Si by P on the amorphous forming ability (AFA), soft magnetic properties, and bending ductility of the Fe84.2Si6-xB9PxCu0.5C0.3 (x = 2.0–4.0) alloys were investigated. It finds that the partial substitution of P for Si promotes the formation of amorphous structure. The AFA of alloys is sensitive to the relevant metalloid elements, and the effect of minor C on the AFA is greater than that of B and P elements. The substitution of Si by P decreases the onset temperature of the second crystallization and promotes the possibility of precipitation of the secondary phase. Besides, an increase in P content effectively inhibits the excessive growth of the α-Fe grains, which contributes to the reduction of grain size and Hc. The amorphous alloys exhibit good bending ductility and high hardness induced by the increase of P content. After optimal heat treatments, the Fe84.2Si6-xB9PxCu0.5C0.3 nanocrystalline alloys exhibit excellent soft magnetic properties, such as higher Ms of 194.6–196.2emu/g and lower Hc of 6.1–6.6 A/m. This work helps us to elucidate the crystallization mechanism induced by the composition and is important for achieving excellent soft magnetic properties, good bending ductility and high hardness.

Role of P on amorphization, microstructure, thermo-physical and soft magnetic properties of Fe-rich FeB(P)SiNbCu melt-spun alloys

Abstract The influence of P on amorphizing ability, as-quenched microstructure, thermo-physical and soft magnetic properties of Fe–rich (i) Fe81B15-xPxSi2Nb1Cu1 (ii) Fe82B14-xPxSi2Nb1Cu1 and (iii) Fe83B13-xPxSi2Nb1Cu1 (x = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 at%) melt-spun alloys are investigated. The substitution of P improves amorphization of alloys and restricts the formation of hetero-amorphous microstructure for Fe 83 at% ribbons at around (x = 8). The improvement in short range ordering of P containing clusters with varying Fe content has been discussed within the framework of Cluster-Glue atom model and supported by experimental thermal parameters. The optimal P content in Fe-rich alloys in the range of 4 ≤ x ≤ 6 delivered favourable thermal properties of high primary and secondary crystallization onset temperature viz; Tx1, Tx2 and temperature span ΔT between these onsets. The P substitution drastically restricts the precipitation of secondary crystallites with reduced enthalpy of secondary crystallisation (ΔH2) during annealing and favourably assists in attaining maximum magnetic moment during the primary crystallization stage. Moreover, the P substitution (4–8 at%) effects refinement of α-Fe nanocrystallites and promotes low coercivity (Hc

Mechanical properties of short basalt fibre reinforced polypropylene and the effect of fibre sizing on adhesion

The focus of this study was to investigate the potential of short basalt fibre (BF) as reinforcement for polypropylene (PP) and the effect fibre sizing has on adhesion and resultant mechanical properties. Short fibre PP composites were manufactured at fibre loadings of 10, 20 and 30 wt% using fibres coated in multi-purpose epoxy based sizing and four experimental PP tailored sizings. SEM image analysis of polished composite cross-sections showed that dispersion was independent of what matrix the fibre sizing was designed for. Fibre length distribution showed the final fibre length of BF was larger than glass fibres in PP composites, which is attributed to its higher abrasive resistance. DSC revealed in general basalt does not influence the crystallinity of PP but some sizings resulted in a 2–3%increase, however, BF increases onset crystallisation temperature by ~3 °C. Tensile and flexural properties of PP can be significantly increased by up to 64% (tensile strength) and 110% (tensile modulus) through the addition of short BF with properties increasing as fibre content increases; however the impact strength simultaneously decreases. Mechanical properties were highly dependent on fibre sizing, where fibres indicating good adhesion provided the greatest increase in tensile and flexural strength but resulted in lower impact strength. Analysis of the fibre-matrix interface highlighted the significant effect sizing has on interfacial shear strength where improvements of 117% were evident. This study highlights the potential of BF as an effective reinforcement for PP while enforcing the importance and advancements of fibre sizing on promotion of adhesion.