Influence of an optimized fibre coating on interfacial and mechanical properties of glass fibre/polypropylene composites

The influence of pretreatment of fibre on interfacial and mechanical properties of glass fibre/polypropylene composites was investigated. Firstly, the glass fibres were coated with the blends of m-IPP (maleic anhydride grafting isotatic polypropylene) and m-APP (maleic anhydride grafting amorphous polypropylene) in different ratios. Secondly, the interfacial reaction of the coated composites was analysed by FTIR, which shows that the interfacial chemical reaction between m-IPP/m-APP in the fibre coating and the fibre surface-bound coupling agent is in existence. Thirdly, the microstructure of the coated composites was studied by SEM. The results indicate that the coating treatment is effective on improving interfacial adhesion of the fibre-matrix and the right amount of m-APP added to the coat impels the plastic deformation surrounding the point of cracks, which makes cracks turn to region and prevents from further interface debonding. Lastly, the mechanical properties were evaluated by measurement of the flexural strength of the composites. It was found that the flexural strength and impact strength of the composites with coating fibre are higher than those of uncoating fibre composite. The results of these investigations draw the conclusion that the pretreatment of fibre with m-IPP/m-APP blends can form an optimize interlayer between the fibre and the PP matrix, which imposes both the strength and toughness of the composites.