Experimental evaluation of a fully recyclable thermoplastic composite

This paper presents the results of an experimental campaign made on a full thermoplastic composite, where both the reinforcement and the matrix are made in thermoplastic. The target is to know the mechanical properties in order to design an energy absorber with this new material. Initially, tensile, compression, bending and shear tests were made according to standards to obtain the mechanical characteristics. Subsequently, static and dynamic tests on thin-walled cylindrical tubes subjected to axial load were made in order to assess the energy absorption capacity varying the project parameters. The data were recorded and analyzed in terms of load-displacement curves, specific energy absorption (SEA), crush force efficiency (CFE), stroke efficiency (SE) and crushing stress. Comparing the new material to a common thermosets composite, different values of SEA are evident; fully thermoplastic composites are 3/4 times lower in energy absorption capacity. Nevertheless, taking into account the other favorable characteristic (such as full recyclability and shorter processing times) this fully thermoplastic material continues to be interesting for lightweight design. From the point of view of the energy absorption its spring back behavior offers some advantages respect to thermoset and conventional materials that tend to shatter and to buckle in the event of impact, respectively.