Abstract
Reinforcement of flexible fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites with standard textile fibres is a potential low cost solution to less critical loading applications. The mechanical behaviour of FRPs based on mechanically bonded nonwoven preforms composed of either low or high modulus fibres in a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix were compared following compression moulding. Nonwoven preform fibre compositions were selected from lyocell, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA) as well as para-aramid fibres (polyphenylene terephthalamide; PPTA). Reinforcement with standard fibres manifold improved the tensile modulus and strength of the reinforced composites and the relationship between fibre, fabric and composite’s mechanical properties was studied. The linear density of fibres and the punch density, a key process variable used to consolidate the nonwoven preform, were varied to study the influence on resulting FRP mechanical properties. In summary, increasing the strength and degree of consolidation of nonwoven preforms did not translate to an increase in the strength of resulting fibre reinforced TPU-composites. The TPU composite strength was mainly dependent upon constituent fibre stress-strain behaviour and fibre segment orientation distribution.
Highlights
IntroductionThe two materials are typically heterogeneous but can consist of different physical forms of the same material [3]
Composites combine two or more distinct materials with a discrete separating interface [1,2].The two materials are typically heterogeneous but can consist of different physical forms of the same material [3]
In line with aims of the study, this section is sub-divided to consider the effect of fibre type, fibre linear density and needlepunching density on the mechanical properties of the nonwoven reinforced elastomeric composites
Summary
The two materials are typically heterogeneous but can consist of different physical forms of the same material [3]. In polymer-matrix composites, polymer resin forms the matrix of the composite and acts as a binder and a stress transfer medium for the reinforcement component, which typically consists of fibres or textile structures [1,2,4,5]. The matrix can consist of an elastomeric, thermoset or thermoplastic polymer depending on whether a flexible or structural composite is required [6,7]. Elastomeric matrix polymers are capable of large deformations before failure compared to thermoset and thermoplastics making them useful in the design of flexible composites. Flexible composite applications include hoses, tyres, coated fabrics, inflatables, conveyor belts, surgical devices, diaphragms and reinforced membranes [8,9]
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