Optimization of Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene-based Composite

Abstract

Polypropylene-based composites are widely used in the industrial field, especially in automotive applications, due to their excellent mechanical properties and low cost. This research is directed towards obtaining the optimal values of mechanical properties of long glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene composite (LGFPP) and polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites (PP-OMMT) for different objectives. Though the primary objective was to minimize the cost of the composite, simulations were also performed to obtain specific desired properties of the composite (irrespective of the composite cost). The latter simulation results are useful in designing products where quality of the composite cannot be compromised (while the cost of the composite is secondary).

In this study, the properties that were optimized include tensile Young's modulus, flexural Young's modulus, notched I-zod impact, and permeation. Regression models were obtained and used to predict these properties as functions of corresponding compositions of the composites. Further, optimization procedures were simulated using these models along with other constraints and objective functions. All simulations are programmed using MATLAB version 7.10.0 (R2010a).