| Abstract: | The strength of GF/PP injection molded parts is reduced by the existence of a weldline. In this paper, the effect of molecular weight of matrix PP, GF content, GF surface treatment, GF shape (diameter and chopped strand length), MAH-PP content and interfacial properties on the weldline strength in GF/PP has been studied. Since the fibers orient vertically to the flow direction, effective reinforcement cannot be obtained at the weldline. Such fiber direction at the weldline cannot be controlled by the molecular weight of matrix, GF content and GF shapes. On the other hand, strength of the weld specimens increases when the amount of silane coupling agents and the MAH-PP content increase. Therefore, it is suggested that the weldline strength is affected by the strength of interfacial adhesion between GF and matrix. |
