Abstract
M.Tech. (Mechanical Engineering)
This research covers the assessment of the mechanical properties and microscopic analysis of two different polypropylene composite reinforced by metal powders (Copper and Aluminium) at various mix ratio of (0, 1, 3. 5, and 7%). The samples were prepared by a hot- pressing machine. The assessment of mechanical properties includes the tensile testing, bending testing, impact testing and hardness testing. The physical evaluation includes microscopic tests. The results show that the fracture/tensile stress decreased with the addition of Cu and Al powders, the young modulus also decreased with the addition of Cu and Al powders. The flexure strength of both Cu and Al composites decreased with the addition of Cu and Al powders. The flexure young modulus also decreased with the addition of Cu and Al powders. The impact strength increased with the addition of Cu and Al powders. From the results it was found that the Al gives better improvement in impact strength compared to Cu. There was significant increment in the hardness of composites with the addition of Cu and Al powders. Morphological results showed that there is a good interaction between the metal particles and the matrix. The agglomeration increases with increasing weight percentage for each type of composites.