Effect of alkali-resistant glass fiber on polypropylene/polystyrene blends: Modeling and characterization

• Published in: Polymer composites Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 398 - 406
• Main Authors: Krishnan, K. Asha, Anjana, R., George, K.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Newtown Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2016
• Subjects: Blends; Fibers; Glass fiber reinforced plastics; Polymer blends; Polypropylenes; Polystyrene resins; Scanning electron microscopy; Thermal properties
• ISSN: 0272-8397; 1548-0569
• DOI: 10.1002/pc.23193

Alkali‐resistant glass fiber (GF) reinforced polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene (PS) blends were prepared by melt mixing in a Thermo Haake Rheochord mixer. Variation in thermal and mechanical properties with the addition of glass fibers into the polypropylene/polystyrene blends was investigated. The characterization of PP/PS/GF composites was done by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope. The experimentally observed tensile properties of glass fiber reinforced PP/PS blends were compared with various published models. It was found that the experimental results agree well with Hui‐ Shia and series models. DMA tests revealed an increase in storage modulus with fiber loading confirms the greater degree of stress transfer from the matrix to the fiber. TEM micrographs reveal that the glass fibers are located at the interface between the blend components. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:398–406, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers