All-poly(ethylene terephthalate) composites by film stacking of oriented tapes

Self-reinforced polymer or all-polymer composites have been developed to replace traditional fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) with good interfacial adhesion and enhanced recyclability. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is one of the most attractive polymers to be used in these fully recyclable all-polymer composites, in terms of cost and properties. In this work, all-PET composites were prepared by film stacking of oriented PET tapes. A processing temperature window was determined by a series of tests on PET tapes and co-PET films, including DSC and T-peel tests. Tensile properties of PET tape, co-PET film and all-PET composites are reported and compared with a commercial co-extruded PURE® polypropylene tape. The effect of compaction temperatures and pressures on tensile properties of all-PET composites was investigated to explore the optimum processing parameters for balancing good interfacial adhesion between tapes and residual tensile properties of PET tapes.