Fracture behaviour of polypropylene sheets filled with epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)-treated coal gangue powder

The morphology, deformation and fracture properties of polypropylene sheets filled with untreated and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)-treated coal gangue powder (CGP) were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the essential work of fracture (EWF) method. The results show that ENR obviously improves the dispersion of CGP particles in the PP matrix and the interfacial adhesion between CGP particles and PP matrix with the well-established interfacial layer. It is found that all composites fracture in a ductile manner as ligament yields completely and crack propagates steadily. The fracture toughness (w _e ) of the composites is significantly improved with the complete interfacial layer formed by ENR on the surface of CGP particles. With increasing ENR content, the specific plastic work (w _p ) per volume unit of plastic zone of the composites increases considerably in spite of the restricted plastic deformation of plastic zones. In Addition, the fracture parameters of different stages of tensile process demonstrate that the positive effect of ENR on the fracture performance of the composites is mainly achieved by notably reinforcing crack resistance at the stage of necking-tearing after yielding.     

Role of micro/nano fillers on mechanical and tribological properties of polyamide66/polypropylene composites

The objectives of this research article is to evaluate the mechanical and tribological properties of polyamide66/polypropylene (PA66/PP) blend, graphite (Gr) filled PA66/PP, nanoclay (NC) filled PA66/PP and NC plus short carbon fiber (NC + SCF) filled PA66/PP composites. All composites were fabricated using a twin screw extruder followed by injection molding. The mechanical properties such as tensile, flexure, and impact strengths were investigated in accordance with ASTM standards. The friction and sliding wear behaviour was studied under dry sliding conditions against hard steel on a pin-on-disc apparatus. Scanning electron micrographs were used to analyze the fracture morphologies. From the experimental investigation, it was found that the presence of NC and SCF fillers improved the hardness of PA66/PP blend. Further, the study reveals that the tensile and flexural strength of NC + SCF filled PA66/PP was higher than that of PA66/PP blend. Inclusion of micro and nanofillers reduced the wear rate of PA66/PP blend. The wear loss of the composites increased with increasing sliding velocity. The lowest wear rate was observed for the blend with nanoclay and SCF fillers. The wear rates of the blends with micro/nanofillers vary from 30–81% and lower than that of PA66/PP blend. The wear resistance of the PA66/PP composites was found to be related to the stability of the transfer film on the counterface. The results have been supplemented with scanning electron micrographs to help understand the possible wear mechanisms.     

Preparation of Semi-aromatic polyamide(PA)/multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites and its dynamic mechanical properties

Well dispersed semi-aromatic polyamide(PA)/multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite was prepared through high-speed shearing method in the presence of surfactant sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS). Further analysis of morphology, crystallization, and dynamical mechanical properties shows the presence of SDBS helps to disperse the MWCNT and largely enhance the mechanical property. In comparison with neat PA component, the storage modulus (E′) of the blend system at 90 °C is 3.5 times larger than PA with MWCNT load ratio of 3 wt.%; and meanwhile the glass transition temperature (T _g) of PA component increases about 17 °C; Similar phenomena have not found in MWCNT/PA composite without surfactant. Simultaneously, as DSC and morphology measurements indicate, the filled MWCNT does not show tremendous effect on the crystalline phase and crystallinity of PA, which imply that the increasing mechanical property for composites is due to the strengthening effect of MWCNT itself, not being caused by the change of crystalline phase and crystallinity by the addition of MWCNT. The increasing T _g, indicative of the restricting movement of PA chains, is most probably ascribe to the strong interaction presented between MWCNT and PA chains.     

硼酸酯改性Mg2B2O5W/PP复合材料界面及其力学性能

为了提高聚丙烯(PP)的强韧性能,采用熔融共混法分别制备了质量分数为0～15%的Mg2B2O5晶须(MBOw)和硼酸酯偶联剂(BE)改性MBOw填充PP基复合材料,测试了PP及其复合材料的拉伸、冲击性能,并通过红外光谱、接触角测试、扫描电镜分析等对复合材料界面作用机理进行了研究.结果表明:MBOw与BE之间存在化学和物理吸附层;PP与BE处理前后的MBOw之间不存在化学键合;BE改性MBOw/PP复合材料中PP与MBOw之间的粘附功和表面张力之比由BE表面处理前的8.7增至处理后的315.0,明显改善了基体中MBOw的分散性及其界面结合性能,提高了BE改性MBOw/PP复合材料的拉伸及冲击性能.     

Impact fracture toughness of hollow glass bead-filled polypropylene composites

The notched Izod impact properties of polypropylene (PP) filled with hollow glass beads (HGB) have been measured at room temperature to identify the effects of the particle contents, size and its distribution on them in the present paper. The mean diameters of the particles were 11, 35, and 70 μm, and named TK10, TK35 and TK70 respectively. The surface of the particles was pretreated with silane coupling agent. The results showed that the notched Izod impact strength (σ _I) of the filled systems increased gently with increasing the volume fraction (φ _f) of the fillers when φ _f was less than 15%, and then it decreased. When φ _f was 10%, σ _I decreased with an increase of the mean diameter of the particles. Furthermore, the impact fracture surface of the specimens was observed by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The improvement of the impact toughness of the composites might be mainly attributed to the shear yielding first of the matrix around the beads to absorb relevant deformation energy under impact load.     

Ductile-<Emphasis Type="Italic">to</Emphasis>-brittle transition in cenosphere-filled polypropylene composites

Cenosphere-filled polypropylene (PP) composites were fabricated and characterized for their structural/morphological and fracture mechanical behaviour. The fracture properties were studied following the essential work of fracture (EWF) approach based on post-yield fracture mechanics (PYFM) concept. The structural attributes and its consequent effects on the dynamic mechanical properties were characterized by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), hot-stage polarized light optical microscopy (PLOM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The WAXD studies have revealed a decrease in crystallinity of the composites with increase in cenosphere content. PLOM studies reveals a threefold reduction in the diameter of the spherulite in case of composite with 10 wt% of cenosphere compared to that of PP followed by an increase of ~50% in the composite with 20 wt% of cenosphere compared to that of the composite with 10 wt% cenosphere. DMA revealed an enhancement in the energy dissipation ability of the composite with 10 wt% of cenosphere and an increase in the storage modulus up to ~30% in the composites relative to the soft PP phase. The non-essential work of fracture (NEWF: βw _p) as the resistance to stable crack propagation has shown a maximum at 10 wt% of cenosphere followed by a sharp drop at higher cenosphere content indicating a cenosphere-induced ductile-to-brittle transition (DBT). Fractured surface morphology investigations revealed that the failure mode of the composites undergo a systematic transition from matrix-controlled shear deformation to filler-controlled quasi-brittle modes above a cenosphere loading of 10 wt% in the composites reiterating the possibility of filler-induced semiductile-to-DBT transition.     

特殊形态结构导电高分子复合材料的电学性能

先使聚丙烯接枝马来酸酐(PP-g-MAH)与炭黑(CB)反应,再与聚丙烯/尼龙6(PP/PA6)共混制备出CB位于两相界面处的PP/PA6/PP-g-MAH/CB导电高分子复合材料,研究了材料的特殊结构和电学性能。结果表明,在PP/PA6/CB体系中CB粒子分布在PA6相,体系的逾渗阈值为2%;而在PP/PA6/PP-g-MAH/CB体系中,CB被PP-g-MAH诱导分布在两相界面处。PP/PA6两相为海岛结构时,PP/PA6/PP-g-MAH/CB体系仍可导电。PP/PA6/PP-g-MAH/CB体系的逾渗阈值降至1.6%,低于PP/PA6/CB体系。体系的正温度效应(PTC)强度远高于PP/PA6/CB体系,在90-135℃范围内不出现负温度效应(NTC)。PP/PA6/PP-g-MAH/CB体系的电学性能归结于其特殊的界面形态结构:导电通道由位于共混物界面处的PP-g-MAH和CB构建而成。     

滑石粉/聚丙烯复合材料结晶度与相间形态对其力学性能的影响

用偶联剂改性的滑石粉（Talc）与聚丙烯（PP）共混制备Talc／PP复合材料,测试了复合材料的力学性能。用广角X射线衍射仪对聚丙烯的结晶状况进行了表征,计算了复合材料中聚丙烯的结晶度;用扫描电镜观察了样条的断口形貌,讨论了滑石粉填充量对材料结晶性能与相态结构的影响．以及PP相结晶度和体系的微相结构对复合材料的拉伸、弯曲及冲击性能的影响。实验结果表明,滑石粉的加入对复合材料的结晶行为、相态结构和力学性能有影响。在15％的滑石粉填充量时,聚丙烯相的结晶度达到最大值,材料的拉伸强度、弯曲强度也基本上达到最大值,而冲击强度却降到最低。扫描电镜照片显示,PP基体的结晶形态与复合材料的相态结构随滑石粉含量的改变而变化。     

Fabrication of C/SiC composites by an electrodeposition/sintering method and the control of the properties

Carbon fibre reinforced SiC matrix composites (C/SiC composites) were fabricated using an electrodeposition/sintering method and the control of properties such as flexural strength. Young's modulus and thermal expansion coefficient was investigated in order to fabricate C/SiC-based functionally gradient materials. By means of choosing the condition of electrodeposition and sintering, C/SiC composites with volume fraction of fibre (V _f) ranging from 45 to 78% were fabricated. Maximum flexural strength and Young's modulus were 185 MPa and 47.5 GPa with V _f of 75%, but both properties decreased with the decrease in V _f. Conversely, the thermal expansion coefficient increased with the decrease in V _f; the value varied from 0.2 to 2.75 × 10^–6K^–1.     

Combined effect of the nature of the filler and the compatibilizer on the weld line properties of filled blends

The mutual effect of the nature of the filler and the compatibilizer on the properties of a ternary blend based on polypropylene (PP) polyamide-6 (PA) and an inorganic phase is investigated. Low aspect ratio irregular shaped CaCO₃ and high aspect ratio plate-like talc are selected as inorganic phases. The effect of different filler levels on the morphology of the weld line region and the region far from the weld line are studied while special attention is paid to both uncompatibilized and compatibilized PPPA blends with maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MA-g-PP). It is observed from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies that plate-like talc reduces the elongated domain size in the weld line region much more effectively than low aspect ratio CaCO₃ for uncompatibilized filled blends. Although both filler are selectively wetted by the dispersed PA phase, the morphology homogenization in the weld line region is found to be related to the ability of the filler to reduce the elongated domain size by increasing the viscosity of dispersed phase rather than the shape of the filler. The selective wetting of talc particles by the PA phase seems to be beneficial in increasing weld line strength by increasing the viscosity of the PA dispersed phase with respect to filler content much faster than CaCO₃. However, the additional compatibilization effect causes much finer, homogeneous spherical PA/ CaCO₃ domains dispersed within the PP matrix compared to plate-like PA/talc domains, which are highly oriented at the weld line. For that reason, the shape of the filler is of predominant importance to achieve homogeneous morphology in the weld line region. Compared to uncompatibilized filled blends, low aspect ratio irregular shaped CaCO₃ yields better weld line strength with respect to all filler levels. For compatibilized PPPA filled blends, the shape of the filler is of supreme significance in order to achieve better mechanical properties especially where weld line properties are concerned.     

Effects of Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> addition on the microstructure,electrical, and mechanical properties of PZT/ZnO nanowhisker piezoelectric composites

Nb₂O₅-modified PZT/ZnO nanowhisker (denoted as PZT/ZnO_w–Nb₂O₅) piezoelectric composites were prepared by a solid state sintering technique. Effects of Nb₂O₅ addition on the microstructure, electrical, and mechanical properties of the PZT/ZnO_w composites were investigated. With increasing Nb₂O₅ content, the grain size of the composites was reduced and the fracture mode changed from intergranular to intragranular gradually. Compared with the PZT/ZnO_w composites, the dielectric, piezoelectric, and ferroelectric properties of the PZT/ZnO_w–Nb₂O₅ composites were improved significantly, while mechanical properties were enhanced slightly. The optimum electrical and mechanical properties were achieved for the PZT/ZnO_w composites modified with 0.75 wt% Nb₂O₅ sintered at 1150 °C, with dielectric permittivity ε_r, piezoelectric coefficient d ₃₃, planar electromechanical coupling k _p, remnant polarization P _r, fracture toughness K _IC, and flexural strength σ_f being on the order of 4930, 600 pC/N, 0.63, 29.2 μC/cm², 1.56 MPa m^1/2 and 130 MPa, respectively. The Nb₂O₅-modified PZT/ZnO_w piezoelectric composites, with comparable electrical properties and improved mechanical properties than those of commercial PZT-5H ceramics, are promising candidates for further applications.     

Preparation of in situ TiCP/LY12 composite and its microstructure and mechanical properties

Mechanical properties of TiC_P/LY12 Al-based composites prepared by an in situ synthesis method were studied. The micro-structure, morphology, and distribution of TiC_p particles in the LY12 Al alloy matrix were also investigated by XRD, SEM, and HRTEM. The phase composition of the TiC_P/LY12 composites, interfacial structure of TiC particle-to-particle and TiC particle-to-Al matrix, and structure of triple phase among TiC particle, Al₂Cu phase, and Al matrix were also studied. There are no detectable Al₃Ti phases in TiC_P/LY12 composites, and a strong cohesive interface between TiC particles and Al-based alloy matrix was observed in the in situ synthesized TiC_P/LY12 composites. After heat treatment using T6 procedure, it was found that ultimate strength (σ_b), yield strength (σ_s), and Young's modulus (E) of TiC_P/LY12 composites increased but the elongation ratio decreased with increasing of the mass fraction of TiC particles.     

Polystyrene reinforced by self-welded glass fibers: Kinetics of polyamide 6 preferential segregation

The encapsulation kinetics of short glass fibers (GFs) by polyamide 6 (PA6) during their melt compounding with polystyrene (PS) was studied. The encapsulation correlates to the mechanical strength of the ternary PS/PA6/GF (50/21/29) composites at temperatures higher than the T_g of the PS matrix. It was observed that many fibers are “welded” together by the minor PA6 phase, and a continuous GF-PA6 network is formed throughout the PS matrix. As a result, the elastic modulus is enhanced remarkably over a wide temperature region from the T_g of PS to the T_m of PA6, and the heat distortion temperature of the composites increases significantly up to 201 °C. We verified that the bulk strength of the GF-PA6 network depends on the encapsulation ratio, N_PA6, a parameter denoting the percentage of the PA6 phase encapsulating the fibers. As mixing time increases, N_PA6 increases gradually and then remains constant. The PA6 with a lower viscosity shows a rapid increase in N_PA6, but a larger difference in viscosity between PA6 and PS results in a higher saturating value. A remarkable increase in N_PA6 was observed for samples after isothermal post-treatments. It was concluded that the encapsulation of the GF by polymers and the strength of the GF-PA6 networks are kinetically determined by the migration of the dispersed PA6 domains to the GF surface and the preferential segregation of these PA6 domains to the junction point of fibers under the driving force of capillarity.     

Compatibilizing effect of maleated polypropylene on the mechanical properties of injection molded polypropylene/polyamide 6/functionalized-TiO2 nanocomposites

TiO₂ nanoparticles were pretreated with excessive toluene-2,4-diisocyanate to synthesize TDI-functionalized TiO₂ (TiO₂-NCO), and then the polypropylene/polyamide 6/(PP/PA6, 70/30 wt%) blends containing 3 phr of the TDI-functionalized TiO₂ were prepared using twin-screw extruder followed by injection molding. Maleated polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) was used to compatibilize the blends. The mechanical properties of PP/PA6 blends based nanocomposites were studied through tensile and flexural tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to assess the fracture surface morphology and the dispersion of the TDI-functionalized TiO₂, respectively. The dynamic mechanical properties of PP/PA6 based nanocomposites were analyzed by using dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA). The strength and stiffness of the PP/PA6 compounds were improved significantly in the presence of PP-g-MAH. This has been attributed to the synergistic effect of TDI-functionalized TiO₂ and PP-g-MAH. The PP-g-MAH compatibilized PP/PA6 compounds showed a homogeneous morphology supporting the compatibility improvement between PP, PA6 and TDI-functionalized TiO₂. TEM results revealed that the TDI-functionalized TiO₂ nanoparticles were exfoliated and uniformly dispersed in blends matrix. Possible chemical interactions between PP, PA6, TDI-functionalized TiO₂ and PP-g-MAH were proposed based on the experimental work.     

Effect of interfacial interaction on morphology and mechanical properties of PP/POE/BaSO4 ternary composites

Ternary composites of Polypropylene (PP)/ethylene-octene copolymer (POE)/Barium Sulfate (BaSO₄)(PP/POE/BaSO₄) were prepared through a two-step process: BaSO₄ master-batches were first prepared through blending of BaSO₄ and POE, then blending with PP. Two families of phase structure were confirmed through SEM and DSC, depending on their interfacial interaction. Separation of POE and BaSO₄ filler was found when untreated or titanate coupling agent treated BaSO₄ filler were used. Encapsulation of BaSO₄ particles by POE elastomer was achieved by using BaSO₄ master-batch prepared through reactive blending of BaSO₄ with POE in the presence of maleic anhydride (MAH) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP). The mechanical properties of the composites greatly rely on the morphology. The yield strength and the impact toughness of a composite with core-shell morphology are higher than those of composites with separated morphologies, but the former has lower flexural modulus and elongation at break than the latter. The interfacial interaction was evaluated by semi-empirical equations developed previously. The deformation and toughening mechanisms of the composites were also investigated.     

Enhanced thermomechanical properties of long and short glass fiber-reinforced polyamide 6,6/polypropylene mixtures by tuning the processing procedures

Long and short glass fibers (GF) were incorporated into the polyamide 6,6 (PA66)/polypropylene (PP) mixtures in order to enhance the thermomechanical properties. The effect of fiber length and processing procedures on tensile strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and heat deflection temperature has been investigated. Miscibility behavior of the PA66/PP mixtures has been examined by performing differential scanning calorimetry analysis and theoretical calculation. The mixtures exhibiting broad coexistent regions such as crystal + crystal (Cr₁ + Cr₂), crystal + liquid (Cr₁ + L₂), and liquid + crystal (L₁ + Cr₂) revealed a significant improvement in thermal and mechanical properties by the addition of GF. Especially, long fiber-reinforced thermoplastics showed better performances compared to short fiber-reinforced thermoplastics at the same filler loading. From the morphological observation of the fractured surface, it was realized that the incorporation of long GF after the melt blending of PA66 and PP was very effective to attain high thermomechanical properties due to the better homogeneity and compatibility.     

Manufacturing and physical properties of all-polyamide composites

Based on the difference in melting points between polyamide 66 (PA66) fiber and polyamide 6 (PA6) matrix, all-polyamide composites were fabricated under various processing conditions. In these all-polyamide composites, the reinforcement and matrix share the same molecular structure unit (–CONH–(CH₂)₅–). Because of the chemical similarity of the two components, good bonding at the fiber/matrix interface could be expected. Effects of processing temperature and cooling rate on the structure and physical properties of composites were investigated by SEM, DMA, DSC analyses, and static tensile test. Fiber/matrix interface strength benefited from elevated processing temperature. The static tensile results showed that the maximum of tensile strength was observed in the processing temperature range of 225–245 °C. At different cooling rates, crystallization temperature of PA6 in the composites was increased compared to the pure PA6 because of the nucleation effect of PA66 fiber surface to the PA6 matrix. A study of the matrix microstructure in a single fiber-polymer composite gave proof of the transcrystalline growth at the fiber–matrix interface, the reason behind which was the similar chemical compositions and lattice structures between PA6 and PA66.     

Formation of novel thermoplastic composites using bicomponent nonwovens as a precursor

This study focuses on a novel technique to produce thermoplastic composites directly from bicomponent nonwovens without using any resins or binders. Conceptually, the structure of the bicomponent fibers making up these nonwovens already mimics the fiber–matrix structure of fiber reinforced composites. Using this approach, we successfully produced isotropic thermoplastic composites with polymer combinations of polyethylene terephthalate/polyethylene (PET/PE), polyamide-6/polyethylene (PA6/PE), polyamide-6/polypropylene (PA6/PP), and PP/PE. The effects of processing temperature, fiber volume fraction, and thickness of the preform on the formation and structure of the nonwoven composites were discussed. Processing temperatures of 130 and 165 °C for PE and PP matrices, respectively, resulted in intact composite structures with fewer defects, for fiber volume fraction values of up to 51%. Moreover, an insight into the changes on the fine structure of the bicomponent fibers after processing was provided to better explain the mechanics behind the process. It is hypothesized that the composite fabrication process can result in annealing and increases the degree of crystallinity and melting temperature of polymers by thickening lamellae and/or removing imperfections. One of the other outcomes of this study is to establish what combination of mechanical properties (tensile and impact) nonwoven composites can offer. Our results showed that compared to glass mat reinforced thermoplastic composites, these novel isotropic nonwoven composites offer high specific strength (97 MPa/g cm⁻³ for PA6/PE), very high strain to failure (152% for PP/PE), and superior impact strength (147 kJ/m² for PA6/PP) which can be desirable in many critical applications.     

Effects of (TiB2 + ZrB2) nanoparticles on microstructure and properties of 7055Al matrix composites

The in situ (TiB₂?+?ZrB₂)/7055Al composites were successfully fabricated from the 7055Al-K₂TiF₆-K₂ZrF₆-KBF₄ system by a direct melt reaction method. Microstructural observations revealed that the nanoparticles were distributed relatively uniformly in the aluminium matrix, and that these nanoparticles exhibit various shapes such as spherical, hexagonal and cubic, with an average size of about 80?nm. Mechanical property testing showed that the strength and Young’s modulus of the composites increased significantly in comparison to the 7055 matrix alloy. The maximum ultimate tensile strength was approximately 361?MPa, with a yield strength of 323?MPa and an elongation of 3.6%, which constitute increases of 31.3%, 28.7% and 44% when compared to the 7055Al alloy, respectively. The strengthening mechanisms of the fabricated composites were also discussed.     

Thermal and impact study of PP/PET fibre composites compatibilized with Glycidyl Methacrylate and Maleic Anhydride

In this paper, two grafted copolymers, Glycidyl Methacrylate grafted polypropylene (PP) (PP-g-GMA) and Maleic Anhydride grafted PP (PP-g-MA) were used in PP reinforced with short poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibre composites. Transcrystallization (TC) of PP on PET fibres was investigated using a polarized optical microscope, which revealed no TC for either of the modified composites at the fibre–matrix interface. Heat deflection temperature (HDT) results of GMA modified composites revealed more enhancement than HDT of MA modified samples. The composite strength results showed enhancement for both modified composites up to 10 wt.%, and this growth was bigger for GMA modified composites. The morphological analysis of GMA modified PP/PET composites pointed out a marked improvement of fibre dispersion and interfacial adhesion as compared to non-compatibilized PP/PET composites. The results of impact strength showed about 43% enhancement for 15 wt.% PET fibre composites. It was found that at low fibre percentages, using either of the modifiers reduces the impact strength a little in comparison to impact strength of the unmodified samples. According to linear elastic fracture mechanics LEFM, impact fracture toughness (G_c) and critical stress intensity factor (K_c) were evaluated for these composites based on the fracture energy obtained from impact tests.