Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1467130 Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 2010 9 Pages PDF
Abstract

Self-reinforced polymer composites or all-polymer composites have been developed to replace traditional glass-fibre-reinforced plastics (GFRP) with good lightweight, mechanical and interfacial properties 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, unidirectional all-PET composites were prepared from skin–core structured bi-component PET multifilament yarns by a combined process of filament winding and hot-pressing. During hot-pressing, the thermoplastic copolyester skin or sheath layers were selectively melted to weld high-strength polyester cores together creating an all-PET composite. Physical properties of the resulting composites including thickness, density and void content were reported. The effect of processing parameters, i.e. consolidation temperature and pressure on mechanical properties and morphology was investigated in order to balance good interfacial adhesion with residual tensile properties of the composite.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Materials Science Ceramics and Composites
Authors
, ,