INTERLAMELLAR FAILURE AT TRANSCRYSTALLINE INTERFACES IN GLASS POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITES

Transcrystalline microstructures are normally not observed at the interface between E-glass fibers and an isotactic polypropylene matrix, unless mechanical translation is applied to the fiber while it is in the supercooled polymer melt. We demonstrate here that transcrystallinity can form at the surface of E-glass fibers if appropriate nucleating agents are used to coat the fibers. These agents can nucleate either the a (monoclinic) or beta (hexagonal) crystal forms of polypropylene. Single-fiber composite experiments were performed to assess the effect of transcrystallinity on matrix deformation. The preliminary results presented here reveal the occurrence of a previously unreported damage mechanism by which interlamellar fractures form preferentially at the interface well before any bulk matrix damage occurs. The density of this damage zone is higher in transcrystallinity of the beta crystal form than of the alpha form, although it was found that in the alpha form the damage can propagate into the matrix. The occurrence of this damage mechanism suggests that toughness increases may potentially be obtained by careful design of the interfacial transcrystalline region in E-glass/polypropylene composites.