POLYPROPYLENE LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE BLENDS WITH SHORT GLASS-FIBERS .2. EFFECT OF COMPOUNDING METHOD ON MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES

Polypropylene/low density polyethylene blend matrices have been reinforced with short glass fibers in order to study their tensile, flexural, and impact behavior. Two-roll milling and twin-screw extrusion compounding methods were used to incorporate the fiber within the polymer matrices, and standard test samples were prepared by injection molding. The effects of matrix composition and fiber concentration on mechanical properties were investigated keeping in mind the matrix and fiber morphology, the latter being intimately dependent upon the compounding method employed.