Studies on the Development of Glass-Reinforced Polypropylene: Effect of Silane Coupling Agents on the Properties of the Composite

Abstract

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:="" "times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:="" minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;="" mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">The development of glass-reinforced polypropylene involves optimization of tile processing parameters, the glass fibre content and the adhesion between the glass fibre and the polypropylene matrix. Substantial enhancement in some properties like tensile strength tensile modulus heat distortion temperature in glass fibre-reinforced polypropylene was achieved on adding some silane coupling agents. However, there was considerable reduction in elongation-to-break. The adhesion of the glass fibre with the thermoplastic matrix is shown to be an important factor in determining the improvement in strength. The coupling agents used in polymeric form gave better results compared to those used in monomeric form.</span>