The mechanical properties of glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene are strongly influenced by the type and degree of interfacial interactions attained, depending on the efficiency of the silane coupling agent and polymeric compatibilizer used in the composite. In order to modify the fiber-polymer interfacial interactions, composites of PP with aminosilane-treated GF were prepared using PP-g-MAH as interfacial compatibilizer. The superior tensile and impact properties obtained in these composites can be attributed to improved fibre-polymer adhesion achieved by a thicker and deformable interphase formed with PP-g-MAH concentration. The interphase characteristics are analyzed by DMTA and SEM analysis.
Polypropilene composites; glass fiber; interfacial compatibilizer; mechanical properties; DMTA; interface/interphase
