Previous test showed that polypropylene fiber has poor adhesion to epoxy resin. Consequently, the mechanical properties of reinforced resin are reduced. From some literatures, the reason for poor bond properties is that the surface of polypropylene fibers lacks active groups. I know that both the polypropylene fiber and epoxy resin are hydrophobic. I have a question. How to improve the bond between polypropylene fiber and epoxy resin, and related mechanisms.
Dear Zihao Shen, most two studied strategies are based on the use of silane coupling agents (silanization) and maleic anhydride attaching to PP fiber surface. Please have a look at the following documents. My Regards
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2017.03.027
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2012.02.013
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2010.03.005
You should consider functionalizing the surface of the PP with siline.
Dear Dr. Ibrahim Alhaji,
The surface of polypropylene (PP) contains no polar groups and is thus hydrophobic. The modification of PP by cold plasma can add a large number of functional groups on the polymeric surface, depending on the processing gas in the plasma reactor. After the plasma treatment, free radicals were deposited onto the surface of the PP fabric, which immediately reacts in the air with oxygen to form hydroperoxides on the surface and plasma-treated PP can be subsequently grafted by more polar monomer, e.g. acrylic acid. It has been reported that plasma treatment is an effective technique for PP fabrics surface modification to improve the polarity/hydrophilicity and adhesion of modified PP fibers to more polar polymer (e.g. poly(acrylate), and/or poly(epoxies). Some research has been performed on cold plasma surface modification of PP (fibers) at atmospheric pressure by Novak et al (1, 2), Prachar et al (3) as well as other researchers (4, 5).
References
(1) Novak I, Popelka A, Luyt AS et al. Surf. Coat. Technol. (2013). 235: 407–416.
(2) Novak I., Pollak V, Chodak I. Plasma Proces. Polyms. (2006). 3: 355-364.
(3) Prachar J, Novak I, Kleinova A, Gemeiner P, Omastova M, Chmela S, Borsig E. Vacuum (2016). 127: 38 – 44.
(4) Buček, A., Popelka, A., Zahoranová, A., Kováčik, D., Novák, I., & Černák, M. Fibres & Textiles in Eastern Europe (2016) 24, 161 - 164.
(5) Popelka, A., Novák, I., Lehocký, M.,Chodák, I. et al. Molecules(2012) 17: 762-785.
Novak, Igor - Popelka Anton - Chodak, Ivan - Sedliacik, Ján. Study of adhesion and surface properties of a modified polypropylene. In: Polypropylene. - Rijeka, Croatia: InTech, 2012, chapter 9, pp. 125 - 160. ISBN 978-953-51-0636-4.
Kind regards,
Igor Novák
Dear researchers
It is a nice topic to talk about. I'm also trying to enhance the polarity of Polypropylene but not by using plasma technique. Our first target is to add some natural materials to polypropylene. Any suggestions will be highly appreciated.
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