Polypropylene composites with porous and solid structure reinforced with cut fibers

The presented research concerns the production of foamed thermoplastic composites reinforced with natural fiber in the direction of obtaining lightweight construction materials. The purpose of the work was to obtain solid and porous polypropylene (PP) systems reinforced with cut basalt fiber (WB). As a foaming agent, Expancel MB930 microspheres from AkzoNobel were used, while to improve the adhesion between the fiber and the PP matrix, an additive in the form of polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride PP-g-MA (Polybond 3200) was used. The production of composites involved mixing the ingredients by extrusion and then molding PP/WB composite in the injection process. In addition, at the injection stage, selected systems were expanded with 1.5% by weight of microspheres. The work evaluated the impact of fiber content (5, 10, 15% by weight) and its preparation as well as the impact of a compatibilizer on the properties of solid PP composites and a comparison of these properties with analogous systems with a porous structure. PP/WB materials were characterized in terms of physical and mechanical properties (density determination, static tensile and bending test); DSC and TGA thermogravimetric analysis. Foamed PP systems with fibers have better mechanical properties compared to pure PP; the addition of a compatibilizer to PP/WB composites increases the strength parameters compared to systems without its participation.