Do I need to use a coupling agent when mixing PLAwith short glass fibers ? If yes, hat kind of coupling agent should I use to improve the interface between PLA and glass fibers ?
Thanks
Hello Rodolphe Henri
As per my knowlwdge there are many ways to improve the interface between the fibers and matrix; silane treatment, atmospheric glow discharge plasma polymerization, desizing, and addition of coupling agent like oligomer, etidronic acid and hexamethylene diisocyanate etc.
Good luck
PVR
the best coupling agent of glass fibers with any polymer matrix is silane agents, these compounds applied to fiber surface to improve the bond between fibers and matrix
Dear Rodolphe,
By considering that is traditionally indicated to use surface treated glass fibers (GF) for reinforcing different polymers (polyamides, polyesters, others), I will say that adequate surface treatments will open the way to more performant (PLA) products. The literature is giving many examples regarding the improvements of thermo-mechanical properties, where are compared treated fibers to untreated ones.
Concerning PLA, based on my practical experience with this polyester and by considering the good results obtained with some silanes for the treatment of inorganic fillers, I will recommend you the test 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and/or γ‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (NB: glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane could be also a good candidate).
However, many suppliers can give you GF treated with APTES, so it will be easy to do the first comparative studies (treated GF vs untreated GF).
Good luck in your R&D study and best regards,
Marius
For eventual help:
Varsavas, S. D., & Kaynak, C. (2018). Weathering degradation performance of PLA and its glass fiber reinforced composite. Materials Today Communications, 15, 344-353. doi:10.1016/j.mtcomm.2017.11.008
Park, S. and Jin, J. (2003), Effect of silane coupling agent on mechanical interfacial properties of glass fiber‐reinforced unsaturated polyester composites. J. Polym. Sci. B Polym. Phys., 41: 55-62. doi:10.1002/polb.10359
Jaszkiewicz, A., Bledzki, A. K., & Franciszczak, P. (2013). Improving the mechanical performance of PLA composites with natural, man-made cellulose and glass fibers - A comparison to PP counterparts. Polimery/Polymers, 58(6), 435-442. doi:10.14314/polimery.2013.435
Dear all, thank you very much for you replies, they're very helpful !
Best regards,
Rodolphe
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Physical Sciences
- Materials Science
- Materials
- Inorganic Materials
- Ceramics
- Glass