Study of replacement of nylon by polypropylene composite and glass fiber

ABSTRACT Parts made from high performance polymers have been replaced by similar materials, produced with a polypropylene (PP) composition, with a lower cost. One of the most commonly used compositions is made by the the joining of polypropylene with fibers, resulting in a new product with different characteristics from those of its constituents. This type of joint is called composite. The objective of this study is to evaluate the behavior of the fiberglass polypropylene composite for the replacement of the housing material of a filter element which is currently manufactured with a nylon and glass fiber composite in the proportion of 30% by weight. Test specimens was injected by using PP pure and as well as with 15%, 20% and 30% fiberglass loads, for behavior analysis through tensile test, flexural strength, impact strength, hardness, flow index and determination of contraction rate. After the injection in the composite with best behavior, PP 30% fiberglass, the filter element housing was subjected practical tests.