Investigation of the Properties of Polycarbonate Filled with Short Glass Fiber

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to study the effect of adding short glass fiber (SGF) to pure polycarbonate (PC) using the injection molding process. The short glass fiber was mixed mechanically with PC in 5%, 10%, and 15% byweight. The mechanical properties of pure polycarbonate reinforced with short glass fiber were investigated using tensile,and hardness tests. The wear resistance of the composites was investigated. The results showed that, by adding 5%, 10%, 15% wt. of short glass fiber to the pure polycarbonate, the ultimate tensile strength increased from 66 N/mm2 for neat polycarbonate to 73 N/mm2 (i.e. 10.60%), 75 N/mm2 (i.e. 13.63%), 78 N/mm2 (i.e. 18.18%), respectively. The modulus of elasticity increased to 2041MPa (13.38%), 2350 MPa (30.55%, and to 2600 MPa (44.44%) when adding 5% SGF, 10% SGF, and 15% SGF to the PC respectively. The hardness test results, using shore D tester, showed that, as the SGF particles contents were increased, the hardness increased from 83 for the PC, to 84, and 86 for PC with SGF particles contents of 10%, and 15%wt respectively. And no effect in the case of 5% SGF. The wear test results showed that, at(500 g applied load, 25m displacement, V= 34 mm/s; i.e speed) the weight loss increased at 5% SGF, then it decreased at 10%, finally it rises again at 15% compared with pure PC. Scan Electronic Microscopy (SEM), showed that, a good interlock and interference between the SGF particles and the pure polycarbonate.