Atomic force microscopy study of polypropylene-based self-reinforced composites. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marsich, L.; Borin, D.; Sbaizero, O.; Schmid, C.
• Is Part Of: Polymer testing. Volume 90(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: elf Reinforced composites -- SRCs -- AFM -- Raman -- Degradation -- Thermal analysis; Polymers -- Testing -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Tests -- Périodiques; 620.1920287
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2020.106632
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-9418

Abstract

Abstract: Self-reinforced composites are polymeric materials formed by a reinforcement core and a low-melting point skin, which acts as a matrix after the consolidation step. These materials are widely exploited in industrial applications for their mechanical resistance and durability, which are themselves influenced by processing conditions and polymer composition. In the present work, two similar polypropylene-based commercial fabrics were used to evaluate the surface modifications after laminate compaction and after artificial aging using atomic force microscopy. The results were correlated with the chemical and physical-chemical interactions obtained from scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, raman and thermal analysis experiments. Single tape consolidated laminate before and after aging displayed different superficial features that can explain the differences in the macroscopic behavior of the two products. Highlights: 2 commercial SRCs, with the same number of tapes in warp and weft direction were studied. SRC- type P skin is not only copolymer but blend with PE that crystalizes in spherulites. SRC – type T skin is a copolymer well adherent to the stretched iPP core and no spherulites. Manufacturing process and the skin composition produce different morphologies. The aging causes a chain breaking dissimilar for the two materials.