| Abstract: | The paper will give a short introducing survey on the present state of polyolefin and copolyolefin cross linking. The combination of high-density polyethylene (PEHD) and polypropylene (PP) with elastomers, particularly with ethylene-propylene terpolymer (EPDM), results in high-impact strength PP (HI-PP) and in thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) considered as high-performance polyolefin composites (HP-POC). By filling of PEHD and PP, HP-POCs with increased stiffness, modulus, and abrasion resistance can be produced. They are cost - advantageous substitutes for construction materials as, for example, ABS. Possibilities and limits are demonstrated by own investigations in this field. Best mechanical properties are obtained by reinforcement with fibres, particularly with glass fibres. Requirement for superior parameters is a chemical coupling between glass-fibre surface or glass-fibre size, respectively, and the PP matrix. A new adhesive agent on the basis of siloxane allows to reach high strength and toughness of the composites. The effect seems to be due to a better mutual penetration of the adhesive agent, the size, and the PP matrix. Outlooks will be given on the further development of HP-POC in the field of reinforcement and reactive combination with other polymers. |
