Title: Usability of injection moulded polypropylene and TALC-EPDM filled PP composite foam materials in automotive industry

Authors: S.H. Yetgin; H. Unal; A. Mimaroglu

Addresses: Faculty of Simav Technical Education, University of Dumlupinar, Kutahya, 54020, Turkey ' Faculty of Technology, University of Sakarya, Esentepe kampusu, Sakarya, 54187, Turkey ' Faculty of Engineering, University of Sakarya, Esentepe kampusu, Sakarya, 54187, Turkey

Abstract: Lightness is a very important parameter in the automotive industry. So, one of the main aims of the automotive makers is to use lighter materials such as foams in automobile parts. In this study, PP polymer and 20%wt. talc and EPDM filled PP composite foams were produced using the traditional injection moulding method. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine and to characterise the PP polymer foam and PP composite foam structure. Furthermore, mechanical and microscopy tests were also carried out to examine the strength and reliability of the foam material. The results showed that the lightness of the material varies between 8% and 29% depending on the amount of chemical foaming agent in PP and PP-T-EPDM composite. Therefore, it is recommended for use in vehicle parts.

Keywords: polypropylene; injection moulding; talc; EPDM; ethylene propylene dien monomer; composite foam materials; automotive components; automobile industry; foam strength; foam reliability; material lightness; chemical foaming agent; vehicle parts.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2016.078794

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2016 Vol.71 No.1/2/3/4, pp.364 - 376

Received: 27 Dec 2014
Accepted: 26 Jan 2016
Published online: 02 Sep 2016 *

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