Author:

Keywords:

Hybrid, Polymer-matrix composites, Mechanical properties, Mechanical testing, Science & Technology, Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, Composites, Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs), HOT-COMPACTION BEHAVIOR, HIGH-MODULUS, MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES, POLYETHYLENE FIBERS, TENSILE, POLYPROPYLENE, IMPREGNATION, TAPES, GLASS, 0901 Aerospace Engineering, 0912 Materials Engineering, 0913 Mechanical Engineering, Materials, 4016 Materials engineering, 4017 Mechanical engineering

Abstract:

This paper describes the production and properties of hybrid single polymer composites made from co-mingled tows of carbon and oriented nylon 12 fibres using the Leeds hot compaction process. For 22% volume fraction of carbon fibres, a well consolidated UD sample was made at a temperature of 176 C, 2 C below the temperature at which major melting of the oriented PA12 fibres, and loss of molecular orientation, occurs. For braided cloth a higher temperature of 178 C was required to give a good sample, which is too close to the melting point of the PA12 multifilaments. Reducing the carbon fraction to 13% allowed a well consolidated sample (braided cloth) to bemade at a lower temperature of 175 C, giving a wider temperature processing window. In tension the hybrid samples were found to fail in a brittle manner while in bending the behavior was ductile as long the molecular orientation was retained.