Elastomers and Composites

The Rubber Society of Korea (한국고무학회)
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Bio-based Polypropylene Composites: Plausible Sustainable Alternative to Plastics in Automotive Applications

  • Ji Won Kwon (Department of Materials Engineering and Convergence Technology, RIGET, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Sarbaranjan Paria (Department of Materials Engineering and Convergence Technology, RIGET, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • In Soo Han (Interior & Exterior Materials Development Team, Hyundai Motor Company) ;
  • Hyeok Jee (Epolytech Co., Ltd) ;
  • Sung Hwa Park (Epolytech Co., Ltd) ;
  • Sang Hwan Choi (Epolytech Co., Ltd) ;
  • Jeong Seok Oh (Department of Materials Engineering and Convergence Technology, RIGET, Gyeongsang National University)
  • Received : 2024.03.28
  • Accepted : 2024.06.28
  • Published : 2024.06.30
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Abstract

Polypropylene (PP) is a commodity plastic that is widely used owing to its cost-effectiveness, lightweight nature, easy processability, and outstanding chemical and thermomechanical characteristics. However, the imperative to address energy and environmental crises has spurred global initiatives toward a circular economy, necessitating sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil-fuel-derived plastics. In this study, we conducted a series of comparative investigations of bio-based polypropylene (bio-PP) blends with current PP of the same and different grades. An extrusion-based processing methodology was employed for the bio-PP composites. Talc was used as an active filler for the preparation of the composites. A comparative analysis with the current petroleum-based PP indicated that the thermal properties and tensile characteristics of the bio-PP blends and composites remained largely unaltered, signifying the feasibility of bio-PP as a potential substitute for the current PP. To achieve a higher Young's modulus, elongation at break (EAB), and melt flow index (MFI), we prepared different composites of PP of different grades and bio-PP with varying talc contents. Interestingly, at higher biomass contents, the composites exhibited higher MFI and EAB values with comparable Young's moduli. Notably, the impact strengths of the composites with various biomass and talc contents remained unaltered. In-depth investigations through surface analysis confirmed the uniform dispersion of talc within the composite matrix. Furthermore, the moldability of the bio-PP composites was substantiated by comprehensive rheological property assessments encompassing shear rate and shear viscosity. Thus, from these outcomes, the fabricated bio-PP-based composites could be an alternative to petroleum-based PP composites for sustainable automobile applications.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work has been carried out in the Regional Specialized Industry Development Program through the Korea Technology & Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA), funded by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups+(R&D) (S3262003).

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