Abstract
Along with the emergence of thermoplastic polyurethane materials with its elastomeric behavior, there has been an improvement in the production of composites with functional properties by adding additives as well as advantages such as high production rates and diversity. In this study, thermal and mechanical behaviors of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomer reinforced with aramid fiber (Kevlar) fabrics with different layers were investigated. Particular emphasis has been placed on the optimization of parameters such as good distribution and impregnation of TPU elastomers used as reinforcements on Kevlar interfaces. Composite samples prepared in 1, 2 and 3 layers of Kevlar fabric by using hot pressing method which were heated at 180 °C under the pressure of 10 MPa for 20 minutes to obtain the final product. Optical, modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, % elongation and thermal conductivity values of TPU reinforced Kevlar composite materials with different layer ranges are compared. It is concluded that the high mechanical strength and the high thermal conductivity values are associated with the amount of thermoplastic polyurethane materials between the kevlar sheets in few layered composite structures. It is also seen that the mechanical strength strongly depends on pore volume, adhesion on fiber-matrix interfaces and matrix concentration on aramid fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane composites.
Highlights
A composite material is a group of materials that coming together at least two different materials such as metal, ceramic or polymer
For 1 layers of Kevlar composite shows a sudden drop at 70.1 MPa, which is related to fiber breakage (Figure 3)
Temperature and pressure applied on all composites, 3 layers of Kevlar composite shows high pore volume at inner and outer surfaces, which reduces its modulus of elasticity
Summary
A composite material is a group of materials that coming together at least two different materials such as metal, ceramic or polymer. The use of composite materials is aimed at producing a new material having superior properties, especially those of the different components having the desired material properties. Aramid fibers have been widely used as reinforcing agents for high mechanical strengths and impact resistances. It is known that aramid fibers used as reinforcing agent on thermoset polymers and on thermoplastic polymer matrices so far. Due to the brittle behavior of thermoset polymer based Kevlar composites [2,3,4], its usage area and production performance are very restricted. Fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites possess several advantages in terms of recyclability, cost effectiveness and flexibility of design. Main advantages of thermoplastic elastomer are the fact that they can be processed several times, exhibited high stiffness, excellent resistance to abrasion, high toughness and load-bearing capacity
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