Two types of thermoplastic composite systems based on polypropylene (PP) and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MA-PP) reinforced by continuous longitudinal glass fibres have been investigated.
The E-glass fibre type is identical for the two materials but the matrix has been modified to achieve a more efficient adhesion to the fibres.
The fibres were PPG 854-1200 from PPG Industries Fibre Glass BV (The Netherlands), and were treated with a PP compatible sizing. The MA-PP matrix was made by blending an isotactic PP homopolymer (VM 6100, Shell Chemicals) with a commercial maleic-anhydride grafted PP (Polybond 3002, BP Chemicals). The weight proportions of the blend was 90% homopolymer and 10% by weight of the MA grafted PP, which have showed optimal static strength properties[7].