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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #358987
Research Project: Conversion of Polysaccharides and Other Bio-based Materials to High-Value, Commercial Products

Location: Plant Polymer Research

Title: Effects of coupling agent on the properties of hybrid composites via direct injection moulding

Author
item GUO, GANGJIAN - Bradley University
item CHOU, SKY - Bradley University
item Finkenstadt, Victoria

Submitted to: Society of Plastics Engineers Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/6/2018
Publication Date: 3/18/2019
Citation: Guo, G., Chou, S., Finkenstadt, V.L. 2019. Effects of coupling agent on the properties of hybrid composites via direct injection moulding. In: Proceedings of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), ANTEC 2019, March 18-21, 2019, Detroit, Michigan. Paper ID 272.

Interpretive Summary: Polypropylene (PP), a commodity plastic used extensively in many products, was loaded with carbon fibers, glass fibers, and wood fibers to increase toughness and tensile strength. A coupling agent was used to increase the adherence of the fibers with the PP matrix. Because biobased fillers are sometimes susceptible to moisture, water absorption was determined including its effect on mechanical properties. The hybrid composites were also tested for flame resistance. For certain applications, inexpensive wood fiber can be substituted for the more expensive glass or carbon fibers for construction materials.

Technical Abstract: Hybrid composites are made by incorporating two or more different types of fillers in a single tailorable matrix. This paper investigates a direct injection molding technique applied to hybrid composites made of conventional carbon fiber (CF), glass fiber (GF) and environmentally friendly wood fiber (WF). The combination of these fibers would lead to enhanced mechanical properties and reduced cost. The target markets for the developed hybrid composites could be the construction industry, auto industry, aerospace industry, etc. To meet the strict requirements for these applications, the burning behavior and water absorption behaviors of these hybrid composites were also investigated. Coupling agents (CA), normally used in polymer composites to enhance mechanical properties, were also investigated for their effects on burning and water absorption behaviors.