The Effect of Thermoplastic Elastomer and Fly Ash on the Properties of Polypropylene Composites with Long Glass Fibers

• Published in: Polymers 2024-05, Vol.16 (9), p.1238
• Main Authors: Teodorescu, George Mihail, Vuluga, Zina, Ion, Rodica Mariana, Fistoș, Toma, Ioniță, Andreea, Slămnoiu-Teodorescu, Sofia, Paceagiu, Jenica, Nicolae, Cristian Andi, Gabor, Augusta Raluca, Ghiurea, Marius
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Automobile industry; Automotive fuels; Automotive glass; Automotive parts; Axial strain; Block copolymers; Composite materials; Elastomers; Energy consumption; Energy efficiency; Ethylene; Fiber reinforced polymers; Fly ash; Glass fiber reinforced plastics; Impact strength; Investigations; Mechanical properties; Nanocomposites; Polymers; Polypropylene; Styrenes; Surface hardness; Thermal stability; Thermoplastic elastomers; Weight reduction
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym16091238

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.