Abstract

The effects of fillers [talc, calcium carbonate, glass fiber, and EBR (ethylene-butene rubber)] on the shrinkage and mechanical properties of injection-molded polypropylene composites were investigated. The shrinkage correlated with the shape of the filler particles: at the same amount added, glass fibers with a large aspect ratio had the greatest effect on the shrinkage of polypropylene composites, followed by flake-shaped talc and granular calcium carbonate. It was confirmed that the addition of EBR rubber as an impact strength modifier reduced shrinkage proportionally to the added content. In addition, the addition of glass fiber resulted in the greatest increases in tensile and flexural strengths.

Keywords: polyproylene composite;shrinkage;filler;injection molded;mechanical properties