The importance of bonding in intralayer carbon fibre/self-reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Swolfs, Yentl; Shi, Jia; Meerten, Yannick; Hine, Peter; Ward, Ian; Verpoest, Ignaas; Gorbatikh, Larissa
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 76(2015)
• Page Start: 299
• Page End: 308
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: A. Carbon fibre -- A. Hybrid -- A. Polymer (textile) fibre -- Self-reinforced composites; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.06.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Abstract: Polymer composites are usually either stiff or tough, but seldom both. Intralayer hybrids of carbon fibre and self-reinforced polypropylene (PP) do offer the potential to achieve a unique combination of toughness and stiffness. In these hybrids, the bonding between carbon fibre prepregs and PP tapes is a crucial parameter. For a weak bonding, the 20% ultimate tensile failure strain and high penetration impact resistance of self-reinforced PP were maintained. For a strong bonding, the ultimate tensile failure strain was strongly reduced, but the flexural performance was improved. For a homopolymer PP matrix in the prepregs, the weak bonding between fibre and matrix caused the penetration impact resistance to reduce according to a linear rule-of-mixtures. For a maleic anhydride modified PP matrix however, the strong fibre–matrix bonding greatly reduced the penetration impact resistance. These results provide new insights into designing hybrid composites with a unique balance of stiffness and failure strain.