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Reinforcing performance of recycled PET microfibrils in comparison with liquid crystalline polymer for polypropylene based composite fibers

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Abstract

Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) used as an alternative reinforcing additive for polypropylene (PP) based composite fibers, compared with liquid crystalline polymer (LCP), was investigated. Both PP-LCP and PP-rPET composites were prepared as fiber using hot drawing process. The effects of draw ratios and compatibilizer dosages on morphology in relation to tensile properties of both types of the composite systems were studied. The variation of draw ratios resulted in much change of stress–strain behavior in compatibilized rPET composite system owing to the obvious difference in morphological change of rPET dispersed phase upon drawing. Tensile strength and extensibility of both composites system were significantly improved with compatibilizer loading. The tensile strength of compatibilized rPET-composite fibers was higher than that of the compatibilized LCP system. The obtained results demonstrated the high potential of rPET as a well-defined reinforcing material for PP based composite fiber under the improved interfacial adhesion promoted by compatibilizer.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support from Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC), Ministry of Education, is gratefully acknowledged. We also would like to acknowledge Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University and office of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) for partial financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Science Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, 44150, Thailand

    Suthisa Sombatdee & Sunan Saikrasun

  2. Center for Alternative Energy, Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 999 Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand

    Taweechai Amornsakchai

Authors
  1. Suthisa Sombatdee
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  2. Taweechai Amornsakchai
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  3. Sunan Saikrasun
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Correspondence to Taweechai Amornsakchai or Sunan Saikrasun.

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Sombatdee, S., Amornsakchai, T. & Saikrasun, S. Reinforcing performance of recycled PET microfibrils in comparison with liquid crystalline polymer for polypropylene based composite fibers. J Polym Res 19, 9843 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-012-9843-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-012-9843-3

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