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Reprocessability and melting behaviour of self-reinforced composites based on PP homo and copolymers

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Abstract

In our present study, the reprocessability of a self-reinforced PP composites (SRPPC) prepared by compression molding was studied. The composite materials (handled separately, based on the related matrix material) were ground, then extruded five times and injection molded after the first and fifth cycle in order to investigate the behaviour of the material during reprocessing. As a reference, the matrices of the composites were also reprocessed and injection molded similarly to the composites. On the manufactured specimens, static (tensile and flexural) and dynamic mechanical tests (Charpy) were performed. The melting and crystalline characteristics were studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The probable decomposition caused by multiple extrusions was followed by the Melt Volume Rate (MVR). The results indicated that in case of commercial materials there is no significant degradation even after multiple reprocessing cycles; therefore, the reprocessability of SRPPC products has no hindrance. The presence of α-iPP reinforcement in the rPP-based composites after reprocessing results in increased inclination for crystallization and consequently leads to improved mechanical stiffness compared to rPP neat matrices.

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Acknowledgements

The authors want to thank the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA K75117). T. Bárány is thankful for the János Bolyai Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Polymer Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem rkp. 3, 1111, Budapest, Hungary

    Tamás Bárány & András Izer

  2. Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem rkp. 3, 1111, Budapest, Hungary

    Alfréd Menyhárd

Authors
  1. Tamás Bárány
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  2. András Izer
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  3. Alfréd Menyhárd
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Correspondence to Tamás Bárány.

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Bárány, T., Izer, A. & Menyhárd, A. Reprocessability and melting behaviour of self-reinforced composites based on PP homo and copolymers. J Therm Anal Calorim 101, 255–263 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-010-0741-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-010-0741-9

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