Natural weathering effects on the mechanical and surface properties of polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) composites

In this paper, Natural weathering effects on the mechanical and surface properties of polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) composites were studied. Injection moulded short glass fibre and short glass fibre/calcium carbonate particle filled (hybrid) PPS composites were investigated. These specimens were subjected to natural weathering in Izmit, Turkey for 3216 h. Instrumented charpy impact tests were performed on a charpy pendulum type tester. The surfaces of the samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is demonstrated that particle reinforcement (additional to the random oriented short glass fibre) reduces the impact performance of composite material but the material becomes more resistant to weathering. Percentage decrease in the impact strength after natural weathering of fibre/particle filled PPS composite is smaller compared to short fibre filled PPS composite. On the other hand, surface morphology of CaCO3 particle reinforced PPS composite is affected less from natural weathering and this material should be considered for outdoor applications. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.