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The influence of thermo-oxidative degradation on the measured interface strength of glass fibre-polypropylene

This was a result of research collaboration as part of the Glasgow Research Partnership in Engineering. This work was to understand previously reported findings that thermal-oxidative degradation of the polypropylene significantly affected the measured interfacial bond strength with glass fibre. A nanoindentation test was employed by Dr Zhu to directly probe the mechanical properties of the PP microdroplets with different heat treatment. The results clearly showed significant stiffness deterioration in degraded samples and also the severity related to the droplet size for a given heat treatment – an important finding for further development of test method and understanding of composite behaviour.