Effects of maleated polypropylene on the morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of short carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene composites

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) on the properties of short carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites. The composites were prepared by melt blending and injection molding techniques at different percentages of CF. Tensile tests, hardness, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to characterize the physical and morphological properties of the prepared composites. It was observed from SEM photographs that modification with PP-g-MAH improved the interfacial adhesion between the carbon fibers and PP matrix. The ultimate tensile strength, hardness and modulus values of modified PP composites were higher compared to the values of CF reinforced PP composites. Melting temperature of all composites was not changed significantly with increasing CF content; however degree of crystallinity values were decreased with the increasing CF content level.

► Carbon fibers (CFs) are the most widely used advanced reinforcing fiber materials.
► Improvement of adhesion between polypropylene (PP) matrix and CF were aimed.
► PP matrix was modified by addition of maleic anhydride grafted PP (PP-g-MAH).
► Mechanical properties of the composites were improved by PP-g-MAH compatibilizer.
► Modification of matrix with PP-g-MAH was improved the interfacial adhesion.