IMPROVEMENTS IN POLYPROPYLENE/FIBER COMPOSITES

摘要

In one embodiment of the present invention a composite is provided having improved toughness without reduction in stiffness comprising a polymer matrix having fibers embedded therein wherein the polymer of the matrix is substantially beta polypropylene or a beta polypropylene-olefin copolymer. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of forming the novel composite by combining a nucleating agent with a polymer composition selected from the group consisting of alpha polypropylene, an alpha polypropylene-olefin copolymer, alpha polypropylene containing fibers therein and an alpha polypropylene-olefin copolymer having fibers therein, and when the polymer is polypropylene or polypropylene-olefin copolymer, also independently adding fiber to the polymer or copolymer and thereafter inducing nucleation whereby a composite of improved stiffness with no reduction in toughness is formed.