Polypropylene and silica short fibers composites

Polypropylene and silica short fibers composites

Authors

  • Mariana Gava Segatelli Universidade Estadual de Londrina
  • Cristiane Aparecida da Silva Universidade de São Paulo
  • Inez Valéria Pagotto Yoshida Universidade Estadual de Campinas
  • Maria do Carmo Gonçalves Universidade Estadual de Campinas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0375.2012v33n1p95

Keywords:

Silica short fibers, Polypropylene, Fractional factorial design

Abstract

The mechanical properties of composites strongly depend on the type of filler-polymeric matrix interface. An interface characterized by a strong bond between the filler and the matrix generally results in better mechanical properties. In this work, polypropylene, PP, was used as polymeric matrix and silica short fibers, SF, which are amorphous biogenic silica, were employed as filler. In order to promote a better filler-matrix interfacial adhesion, these fibers were previously modified with vinyltrimethoxysilane. The composites were prepared by extrusion and injection molding processes and their mechanical properties were evaluated according to tensile testing, ASTM D 268, by means a fractional factorial design (25-1). The studied factors included fiber content in the matrix, fiber surface modification, injection flow and testing rate. The composite cryogenic fractured surfaces were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy, FESEM. The fiber modification promoted a better fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion, resulting in optimized mechanical properties in relation to the others. In this way, the fiber modification was the most important factor on the mechanical performance of the composites.

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Author Biography

Cristiane Aparecida da Silva, Universidade de São Paulo

Doutoranda

Published

2012-04-25

How to Cite

Segatelli, M. G., da Silva, C. A., Yoshida, I. V. P., & Gonçalves, M. do C. (2012). Polypropylene and silica short fibers composites. Semina: Ciências Exatas E Tecnológicas, 33(1), 95–102. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0375.2012v33n1p95

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Original Article
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