Design and study of an extrusion-compression processing method capable of molding long-glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene.

摘要

The objective of this study was to design an extrusion-compression process capable of fabricating parts using a high percentage of long-glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene. 40% wt. long-glass-fiber reinforced polypropylene was used for the study. The material was extruded over a compression plaque mold and compressed after a certain delay time. The density of the plaques was studied and the process was optimized after the highest possible density was obtained. Test specimens were obtained from these plaques to conduct tensile, flexural, and short beam shear tests. A DOE was conducted to study the effect of the process parameters---platen temperature, compression pressure, and delay time---on the mechanical properties of the plaques. It was seen that an increase in the platen temperature and the compression pressure leads to a decrease in the strength of the product. Both parameters have a combining effect on the stiffness and the flexibility of the plaques. It was also seen that an increasing delay time leads to lower flexural properties.