In-situ hybrid composites containing reinforcements at two orders of magnitude

Abstract

By combining the concepts of the in-situ composite and hybrid composite, a concept of in-situ hybrid composites has been put forward. A composite structure of polyethersulfone reinforced by carbon fibres (CF) and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) fibrils has been formed in injection-moulded bars by matching the characteristics and processing conditions of the TLCP and the matrix resin. These TLCP fibrils with large intrinsic aspect ratios are generated in-situ in the melt of the resin matrix during the processing of the ternary blends. This technique uses TLCPs to decrease the viscosity of the whole blend systems and to minimize the CF breakage as well. The improved processability is especially beneficial for the processing of advanced engineering plastics. This technique, forming reinforcements at two orders of magnitude in the resultant composites, utilizes these two reinforcements to balance the enhanced mechanical properties of the hybrid composites.