Charpy impact behavior of clay/basalt fiber-reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites at various temperatures

In this article, the polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites containing nanoclay particles and basalt fiber (BF) are prepared in the presence of maleic anhydride grafted PP (PP-g-MA) as compatibilizing agent. The Charpy impact behavior of PP/PP-g-MA/clay nanocomposites and PP/PP-g-MA/Clay/BF nanocomposites at room temperature (25 degrees C), cryogenic temperature (-196 degrees C), and high temperature (120 degrees C) is presented. The BFs prevented the PP matrix from plastic deformation, but the impact strength improvement of nanocomposites is obtained when nanoclay in the PP matrix resists the propagation of cracks. The fracture surfaces are examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM).