Mechanical Property of Cabon Nanofiber/Polypropylene Composites by Melt-mixing Process

압출공정에 의한 탄소나노섬유/폴리프로필렌 복합재료의 기계적 특성

The dispersion of carbon nanofiber (CNF) was carried out by solution blending, mechanical mixing, and sonication. CNFs at levels of 5-50% fiber weight content were mixed with polypropylene (PP) powder, and then were melt-mixed using a twin-screw extruder. For the further alignment of fibers, extruded rods were stacked uni-directionally in the mold cavity for the compression molding. For the evaluation of mechanical properties of nanocomposites, tension, in-plane shear, and flexural tests were conducted. CNF/PP composites clearly showed reinforcing effect in the longitudinal direction. The tensile modulus and strength have improved by 100% and 40%, respectively for 50 % fiber weight content, and the flexural modulus and strength have increased by 120% and 25%, respectively for the same fiber weight content. The shear modulus showed 65% increase, but the strength dropped sharply by 40%. However, the property enhancement was not significant due to the poor adhesion between fiber and matrix. In the transverse direction, the tensile, flexural, and shear strength decreased as more fibers were added.