Evaluation of morphological characteristics and mechanical performance of Rockforce mineral fiber- and glass fiber-reinforced polyamide-6 composites

Abstract In this study, the effect of addition of Rockforce mineral and glass fiber fillers on the mechanical properties and morphological characteristics of polyamide-6 composites were evaluated and compared. Reinforcements, single and mixed compounds by various weight ratios between 10 and 30 wt%, were added to polyamide-6 polymer. Uniaxial tensile, Izod impact, and flexural tests were carried out. Tensile strength, elongation at break, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and impact strength were obtained. The results showed that the tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of polyamide-6 composite increased with the increase in the glass fiber ratio and are slightly influenced by the addition of Rockforce mineral fibers. Moreover, the impact strength follows an increasing and decreasing profile, whereas elongation at break values decreased with the increase in reinforcement ratio. Finally, scanning electron microscopy was used for comparison and evaluation of the fracture surface of the polyamide-6 composite.