Energy-absorption properties of polypropylene composites filled with glass beads and powdered rubber

The compressive properties and energy absorption properties of polypropylene(PP) composites filled with hollow glass beads(HGB) and powdered nitrile butadiene rubber(PNBR) respectively were studied by uniaxial compression tests. The energy absorption capacity of the studied materials was verified by impact toughness based on pendulum impact tests. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the microstructure of the fracture surfaces. It is found that HGB increases the stiffness but lowers the ductility of polypropylene,while PNBR is on the contrary. The stress response degree of PNBR/PP is the lowest as absorbing the same energy. The design stress of HGB/PP should be higher than that of PNBR/PP according to energy-absorption efficiency. The maximum value in the ideal energy-absorption efficiency curve occurs at the yield stage. Impact test results show that HGB and PNBR can improve the energy-absorption capability of polypropylene.