Synergistic Enhancement of Properties in Glass Fiber/Nanoparticle Reinforced Polycarbonate Injection-molded Products

ZU Menghuan; JIA Ziwen; ZHANG Huang; QIAO Haiyu

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.07.021

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (7) : 228-237. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.07.021

Polymer Materials Manufacturing

Synergistic Enhancement of Properties in Glass Fiber/Nanoparticle Reinforced Polycarbonate Injection-molded Products

ZU Menghuan, JIA Ziwen, ZHANG Huang, QIAO Haiyu^*

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Abstract

The work aims to investigate the coupled effects and microscopic mechanisms of incorporating low-refractive-index magnesium fluoride nanoparticles on the optical and mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate injection-molded products. With glass fiber reinforced PC composite as the research subject, the low-refractive-index magnesium fluoride (MgF₂) nanoparticles were introduced to reduce the refractive index difference between the PC matrix and the glass fibers. The changes in the molding properties, optical properties, and mechanical properties of the composite were analyzed. The results indicated that: (1) The temperature during the injection molding stage had a minor impact on the optical properties of PC/GF composites. (2) The introduction of magnesium fluoride (MgF₂) nanoparticles led to a decrease in transmittance and an increase in haze for PC/GF/MgF₂ composites, indicating deterioration in optical performance. This was primarily attributed to both the glass fibers and MgF₂ particles acting as scattering sites, which caused light scattering and deflection, resulting in reduced transmittance and increased haze. (3) An increase in thickness led to a more significant decline in the optical performance of the composites. When the thickness reached 10 mm, the transmittance of PC/GF/MgF₂ composites dropped to zero. (4) The incorporation of glass fibers and nanoparticles enhanced the strength and modulus of the composites, but significantly reduced the elongation at break and toughness. Compared to pure PC, the strength of PC/GF/MgF₂ composites increased by 6.37%, while its elongation at break dropped to 28.41% of that of the pure PC. (5) SEM images of the fracture surface revealed extensive glass fiber pull-out at the interfaces of the PC/GF/MgF₂ composites. This work provides a scientific basis for optimizing the injection molding process of glass fiber reinforced PC composites for optical products.

Key words

optical products / injection molding / polycarbonate / glass fiber / nanoparticles / refractive index matching

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ZU Menghuan, JIA Ziwen, ZHANG Huang, QIAO Haiyu. Synergistic Enhancement of Properties in Glass Fiber/Nanoparticle Reinforced Polycarbonate Injection-molded Products[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2026, 18(7): 228-237 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.07.021

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China (52405400); Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Youth Fund, BK20240801); China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (General Program, 2023M730350); Natural Science Research Project of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (23KJB460028); Open Fund of the State Key Laboratory (P2025-051)