Experimental analysis of graphene nanoparticles and glass fibers effect on mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene/EPDM based nanocomposites

In this study, mechanical and thermal properties of a two-phase polymeric matrix composite including polypropylene and EPDM, reinforced with glass fibers and graphene nanoplates is investigated. Compounds were containing 0, 1 and 2 wt.% of graphene nanoplates and 10, 20 and 30 wt.% of glass fibers and 10 and 15 wt.%EPDM, which were prepared by an internal mixer. Samples for mechanical testing were obtained by a hot press machine. Mechanical and thermal tests were performed to determine the impact strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and melting and crystallization temperature of compounds. It was observed that by using of glass fibers, impact strength was increased 46% and tensile strength and elastic modulus were increased slightly compared to the basic ingredients PP / EPDM. By using of up to 1 wt% of graphene nanoplates, impact strength was increased 16%. The more graphene nanoplates used resulted in a decrease in intensile strength. Adding geraghene nanoplates generally increased elastic modulus up to 13%. Also by adding of EPDM, impact strength of the samples was increased 18% but theirother mechanical peorperties were decreased. Graphene nanoplates also slightly increased the crystallization temperature of samples but their melting temperature have not been affected