Mechanical properties of injection-molded carbon fiber/polypropylene composites hybridized with nanofillers

• Published in: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Applied science and manufacturing, 2013-12, Vol.55, p.19-26
• Main Authors: Arao, Y., Yumitori, S., Suzuki, H., Tanaka, T., Tanaka, K., Katayama, T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A. Carbon fiber; A. Hybrid; A. Thermoplastic resin; aluminum oxide; Applied sciences; carbon fibers; clay; Composites; E. Injection molding; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; modulus of elasticity; Polymer industry, paints, wood; polypropylenes; shear strength; silica; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2013.08.002

Short-carbon-fiber/polypropylene composites (CF/PP composites) have high processability and recyclability but low strength. To improve the strength, various nanofillers were hybridized to form fiber-reinforced composites. Adding nanofillers improves not only the strength but also the elastic modulus, with the exception of clay nanofillers. To understand the strengthening mechanism resulting from the addition of nanofillers, the residual fiber length and interfacial shear strength were measured. For CF/PP composites, the addition of alumina, silica, and CNT improves the interfacial shear strength, and thereby, the mechanical properties. On the basis of this result, proper choice of nanofiller type and content for improving the mechanical properties of PP/CF composites is discussed.