Evaluation of the Usage of Recycled Polypropylene and Fly Ash in Modified Polypropylene-Based Composites Used in Automotive Industry

Abstract

In this study, the effect of using recycled polypropylene and fly ash on mechanical properties of the different polymeric compound used in the automotive industry has been assessed. Various recycled polypropylene was replaced with virgin polypropylene in the matrix of the composites, while the rest of the ingredients kept unchanged.

Experimental results showed that ductility and impact strength of the modified polymeric composite decreased with increasing concentration of recycled polypropylene in the compound. It was also found that the arrangement of 40%/60% ratio of (Recycled polypropylene/Virgin polypropylene) in the composites can reasonably meet the requirements of the engineered polypropylene compounds for automotive interiors.

Talc as reinforcing filler in interior automotive component was also replaced by fly ash in the second part of this study and tests' outcome revealed that polymer compositions containing talc filler show lower ductility comparing with fly ash-filled compounds.

Keywords: Recycled Polypropylene, Mechanical properties, Polymer-based composites, Fly ash, Talc