Impregnation Quality Of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Waste Polypropylene With Variation Of Fiber Treatment And Matrix Recycling Cycles

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics offer a promising alternative engineering material characterized by high stiffness, strength, lightweight, and superior formability compared to traditional metal counterparts. However, the high viscosity of the thermoplastic matrix poses a significant challenge in achieving optimal impregnation quality. The quality of impregnation plays a crucial role in determining the mechanical properties of the composite. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the impregnation quality in carbon fiber-reinforced recycled polypropylene composites. Recycled polypropylene with recycling cycles of 1, 3, and 5 times was utilized as the matrix material. Carbon fibers underwent three different treatment variations: immersion in liquid nitrogen, heating to 600 degrees C followed by immersion in liquid nitrogen, and treatment with a silane coupling agent. The interfacial shear strength was assessed using a pull-out test, and the microstructure was examined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The research findings reveal that the highest interfacial shear strength value of 14.5 MPa was achieved in the recycled polypropylene material with a recycling cycle of 5 times, employing the liquid nitrogen immersion treatment for the carbon fibers. Conversely, the lowest interfacial shear strength value of 8.6 MPa was observed in the recycled polypropylene material with a recycling cycle of 1 time, involving the coupling agent treatment for the carbon fibers. These results were further substantiated by microstructure observations using SEM.