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The Effect of Thermoplastic Elastomer and Fly Ash on the Properties of Polypropylene Composites with Long Glass Fibers
- Source :
- Polymers, Vol 16, Iss 9, p 1238 (2024)
- Publication Year :
- 2024
- Publisher :
- MDPI AG, 2024.
-
Abstract
- A cost-effective solution to the problems that the automotive industry is facing nowadays regarding regulations on emissions and fuel efficiency is to achieve weight reduction of automobile parts. Glass fiber-reinforced polymers are regularly used to manufacture various components, and some parts may also contain thermoplastic elastomers for toughness improvement. This work aimed to investigate the effect of styrene-(ethylene-co-butylene)-styrene triblock copolymer (E) and treated fly ash (C) on the morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of long glass fiber (G)-reinforced polypropylene (PP). Results showed that the composites obtained through melt processing methods presented similar thermal stability and improved (nano)mechanical properties compared to 25–30 wt.% G-reinforced PP composites (PP-25G/PP-30G). Specifically, the impact strength and surface hardness were greatly improved. The addition of 20 wt.% E led to a 25–39% increase in impact strength and surface elasticity, while the addition of 6.5 wt.% C led to a 16% increase in surface hardness. The composite based on 25 wt.% G, 6.5 wt.% C, and 20 wt.% E presented the best-balanced properties (8–17% increase in impact strength, 38–41% increase in axial strain, and 35% increase in surface hardness) compared with PP-30G/PP-25G. Structural and morphological analysis confirmed the presence of a strong interaction between the components that make the composites. Based on these results, the PP–G–E–C composites could be presented as a viable material for automotive applications.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20734360
- Volume :
- 16
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Polymers
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.6af95830f9924811883cc5970e0f8a57
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091238