Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Properties of Glass Fiber-reinforced Biodegradable Poly(propylene carbonate) Composites

Abstract

Glass fiber (GF)-reinforced biodegradable poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) composites were prepared by melt blending. The effects of reinforcement on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of the PPC/GF composites were investigated. The mechanical properties of the composites were found to be improved obviously by the incorporation of GF. Experimental results of the thermal properties indicated that the GF addition led to the improvement on the thermal stability of the composites, and that the Vicat softening temperature (VST) of the composites was much higher than that of pure PPC resin. Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed a uniform dispersion of GF within PPC matrix at low GF loading level. It was observed that the GF appeared to be oriented within the PPC matrix to some extent, and there was good interfacial adhesion between GF and PPC matrix.