Effect of Compatibilizer on Morphology, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Recycled Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites
L. Altaya, Y. Sekib, K. Severc, I. Send, T. Uysalmand, M. Atagurc, O. Seydibeyogluc, M. Sarikanata
aEge University, Mechanical Engineering Department, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
bDokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Science, Buca, Izmir, Turkey
cIzmir Katip Celebi University, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Cigli, Izmir, Turkey
dIzmir Eğitim Sağlık Sanayi Yatırım A.Ş., Turgutlu, Manisa, Turkey
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Over the last decades, automotive industries have investigated a variety of technological developments and design strategies. The reduction of vehicle weight has been proved to be a particularly effective way to meet automobile performance requirements in the areas of fuel economy and emissions. One major option in the vehicle weight reduction strategy is the use of lightweight materials, namely the carbon fiber reinforced polymers. However, poor adhesion between carbon fibers and polymer matrix could be an important issue for carbon fiber reinforced polymers. In this study, in order to increase interfacial bonding between carbon fibers and the polymer matrix, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene at different weight contents was used as a compatibilizer for better polymer/fiber interpenetration. Recycled chopped carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene composites with maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene were prepared with high speed thermo kinetic mixing and hot press molding techniques. Thermal properties of the composites were studied by thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimety. Morphology of the composites was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The tensile properties of these composites were investigated. Tensile strength values of recycled chopped carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene based composites increased with increasing compatibilizer content.

DOI:10.12693/APhysPolA.134.196
topics: polypropylene composites, carbon fiber, compatibilizer, mechanical properties