The mechanical properties of polypropylenes reinforced with short graphite fibers

Robert Weiss, The University of Akron

Abstract

The Mechanical properties of injection molded and compression molded graphite fiber-reinforced polypropylenes are discussed. In general, the tensile properties of polypropylene are significantly improved by reinforcement with graphite fibers and to a greater extent than achieved by glass fiber reinforcement. The failure mechanism of these materials involved a combination of matrix fracture and debonding of the fiber-polymer interface. The use temperature of these materials is shown to increase with increasing fiber content and the notch sensitivity is reduced.