Viscoelastic Modeling and Mechanical Performance of Polypropylene: Acrylic Fiber Composites for Chemical Engineering Applications

Abstract

This study presents a theoretical investigation of the mechanical and chemical engineering performance of a polypropylene (PP) composite reinforced with 5 wt.% acrylic fiber (AF) as a cost-effective alternative to carbon fiber composites. The viscoelastic creep behavior of the composite was modeled using a four-element Burgers model to predict long-term mechanical stability. Theoretical tensile strength estimation using the Rule of Mixtures yielded a value of 18.9 MPa, representing a 57.5% improvement over neat PP. In addition, the composite was evaluated as a packing material for chemical separation processes. The enhanced mechanical integrity of the PP/AF composite resulted in improved packing performance, leading to a theoretical reduction in packed column height of up to 35.7% at a 30% increase in material constants. These results suggest that PP/AF composites offer a viable, low-cost solution for moderate-load structural applications and industrial mass transfer operations.