Polypropylene/glass fiber/nanoclay hybrid composites: morphological, thermal, dynamic mechanical and impact behaviors

Polypropylene/E-glass fiber/nanoclay were compounded with a twin-screw extruder and injection molded. Thermal, dynamic mechanical, and impact tests were carried out. Differential scanning calorimetry investigations showed that the incorporation of nanoclay into polypropylene/glass fiber composite shifted the melting temperature (T-m) to higher values. The degree of crystallinity (X-c) was strongly influenced by the presence of the glass fiber and nanoclay in the matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed an increase in storage modulus (E'); indicating higher stiffness of the hybrid composites when compared to the glass fiber composites and the virgin matrix. From the tan delta curves, a strong influence of glass fiber and nanoclay content on the magnitude of tan delta(max) value was observed. Impact test showed a reduction in the critical strain energy release rate, G(c) for hybrid composites with higher nanoclay loading. The stress intensity factor, K-c values showed insignificant effect with the presence of nanoclay and GF.