Structure and mechanical properties of new hybrid composites based on polyamide 6,6 reinforced with both glass fibers and a semiaromatic liquid crystalline polyester

Polyamide 6,6 (PA66) composites with 30% glass fiber (GF) were blended with a semiaromatic liquid crystalline copolyester (Rodrun 5000 (R5)) up to 40% R5 by injection molding. The composites showed two amorphous phases. Interchange reactions took place between the two polymers, leading to good interfacial adhesion. The addition of 20% R5 was enough to counteract the viscosity increase provided by the GF. The synergistic increases in the modulus of elasticity were attributed to the increase in the skin thickness at increasing R5 content. The tensile strength of the composites remained constant on LCP addition, despite the lower tensile strength of R5 compared with that of PA66/GF. The notched impact strength increased notably at increasing R5 content. Polym. Compos. 25:601–608, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Transesterification-controlled compatibility and microfibrillation in PC-ABS composites reinforced by phosphorus-containing thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester

For polymer/liquid crystal polymer (LCP) blend systems, the in-situ fibrillation of LCP in polymer matrix can result in the self-reinforcement of polymer/LCP composites. How to control the microfibrillation of LCP in matrix is a key to enhance the mechanical properties of composites. In this paper, we investigated the transesterification-controlled compatibility and microfibrillation of phosphorus-containing thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester, poly(p-hydroxybenzoate-co-DOPO-hydroquinone ethylene terephthalate) (PHBDET) in the PC/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer blend (PC-ABS) during the melt processing. A standard mode and temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (DSC and TMDSC) and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C NMR) were used to investigate the transesterification and compatibility of PHBDET with PC-ABS. Microstructures, rheological and mechanical properties of the composites were also studied via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic rheological measurement and universal material testing machine. The results showed that the extent of transesterification could influence the compatibility of PHBDET with PC-ABS, and could be controlled by processing temperature and time. The improved compatibility was not always favorable for the microfibrillation of PHBDET in PC-ABS, but a certain extent of transesterification showed a positive influence on the tensile properties of the composites. Therefore, there existed an optimal extent of transesterification, in which the composite could show a good balance of compatibility and tensile properties.     

Hybrid composites from coir fibers reinforced with woven glass fabrics: Physical and mechanical evaluation

Sandwich composites based on coir fiber nonwoven mats as core material were manufactured by Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding technique. Mechanical and physical properties of produced coir/polyester and coir‐glass/polyester composites were assessed. Samples were evaluated according to their reinforcement contents, resin contents, areal density, and thickness. Tests on physical properties revealed that coir‐glass/polyester sandwich structure has the lowest values of thickness swelling, water absorption and moisture contents compared with coir/polyester composite. Mechanical tests such as tensile strength, open‐hole tensile strength, and flexural strength were also performed on all samples. Coir‐glass/polyester sandwich structure showed significant increase in tensile strength of 70 MPa compared with 8 MPa of coir/polyester composite. Introducing two skins of fiber glass woven roving to coir/polyester increased its flexural strength from 31.8 to 131.8 MPa for coir‐glass/polyester. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2212–2220, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Thermal and mechanical behavior of thermoplastic composites reinforced with fibers enzymatically extracted from Ampelodesmos mauritanicus

This work investigates the morphology, the thermal, and mechanical properties of technical fibers extracted from the Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Diss) grass using a process that combines mechanical, mild chemical, and enzymatic steps. The structure and the thermal stability of Diss fibers make them suitable as a reinforcing filler in polymer composites, which was assessed by manufacturing biocomposites with improved stiffness and a tensile strength not degraded by Diss fibers when compared to those of a commodity polymer and a biodegradable one, namely polypropylene and poly(lactic acid). This work confirms that enzyme mixtures obtained from commercially available products of relatively low cost can represent a simple and environmentally friendly means to extract less common natural fibers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2418–2428, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Spinnability and physical properties of in situ composite fibers based on thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer

In situ composite fibers based on poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PEN) and a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (Vectra A950) were prepared using a single‐screw extruder. The fibers were taken up at selected speeds. The spinnability, thermal behavior, mechanical properties, and morphologies of the PEN/Vectra A950 blend were investigated. The results showed that the PEN/Vectra A950 blends were partly miscible, and the miscibility increased with the increased concentration of Vectra in the blend. The DSC measurements indicated that Vectra enhanced the crystallization process of PEN by performing as a nucleating agent. The Instron tensile property study, coupled with scanning electron microscopy, revealed that the mechanical properties of the PEN matrix were significantly improved when Vectra existed as long and continuous fibrils. The laser Raman results showed that the Vectra orientation began to develop at take‐up speeds above 500 m/min. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 795–811, 2002     

Self‐reinforcing elastomer composites based on polyolefinic thermoplastic elastomer and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer

In situ reinforcing elastomer composites based on Santoprene thermoplastic elastomer, a polymerized polyolefin compound of ethylene–propylene–diene monomer/polypropylene, and a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP), Rodrun LC3000, were prepared using a single‐screw extruder. The rheological behavior, morphology, mechanical, and thermal properties of the blends containing various LC3000 contents were investigated. All neat components and their blends exhibited shear thinning behavior. With increasing TLCP content, processability became easier because of the decrease in melt viscosity of the blends. Despite the viscosity ratio of dispersed phase to the matrix phase for the blend system is lower than 0.14, most of TLCP domains in the blends containing 5–10 wt % LC3000 appeared as droplets. At 20 wt % LC3000 or more, the domain size of TLCP became larger because of the coalescence of liquid TLCP threads that occurred during extrusion. The addition of LC3000 into the elastomer matrix enhanced the initial tensile modulus considerably whereas the extensibility of the blends remarkably decreased with addition of high TLCP level (>.20 wt %). The incorporation of LC3000 into Santoprene slightly improved the thermal resistance both in nitrogen and in air. Dynamic mechanical analysis results clearly showed an enhancement in dynamic moduli for the blends with 20–30 wt % LC3000. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Morphology and mechanical properties of thermoplastic composites containing a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer

Blends of two thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers (TLCPs), with brittle and ductile matrix materials were both injection molded and spun into fibers, in order to investigate the mechanism of in-situ mechanical reinforcement. In the injection molded samples, the TLCP was only moderately elongated into fibrils, and the mechanical properties were below predictions of the rule of mixtures. Fibers spun out of the blends contained numerous fine fibrils with nearly infinite aspect ratio, and as expected, the modulus increased linearly with the TLCP volume fraction, obeying the Tsai-Halpin equation for transversely isotropic composites. Wide angle X-ray diffraction measurements, as well as determination of the fiber-moduli, revealed that during spinning not only a macroscopic elongation of the fibrils was achieved, but also a considerable molecular orientation within the TLCP domains.     

In-situ composites: Evaluation of the adhesion between the thermoplastic matrix and the fibers of liquid crystalline polymer

Mechanical properties of fiber reinforced composites depend on the formation of stable adhesive bonds between the constituents. In order to evaluate quantitatively the adhesion between liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibers and a thermoplastic matrix of polycarbonate, the single fiber composite test (SFC), utilized for testing glass or carbon fiber composites, has been used. Neither chemical nor physical interaction has been found: the PC and LCP phases are completely incompatible. However, a mechanical friction between PC and LCP was observed during the drawing of the sample when the neck of the matrix started.     

In situ polymerization of thermoplastic composites based on cyclic oligomers

The high melt viscosity of thermoplastics is the main issue when producing continuously reinforced thermoplastic composites. For this reason, production methods for thermoplastic and thermoset composites differ substantially. Lowering the viscosity of thermoplastics to a value below 1 Pa.s enables the use of thermoset production methods such as resin transfer molding (RTM). In order to achieve these low viscosities, a low viscous mixture of prepolymers and catalyst can be infused into a mold where the polymerization reaction takes place. Only a limited number of polymerization reactions are compatible with a closed mold process. These polymerization reactions proceed rapidly compared to the curing reaction of thermosets used in RTM. Therefore, the processing window is narrow, and managing the processing parameters is crucial. This paper describes the production and properties of a glass fiber reinforced polyester produced from cyclic oligoesters. POLYM. COMPOS., 26:60–65, 2005. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Characterization of composites based on recycled expanded polystyrene reinforced with curaua fibers

This study evaluated the mechanical, thermal, rheological, and morphological properties of virgin and recycled matrices and their composites with 20 wt % of curaua fiber. The recycling process of postconsumer polystyrene was carried out by grinding and extrusion. It was found that the recycling of expanded polystyrene did not have a major influence on the mechanical properties; however, the thermal stability was increased. The addition of curaua fibers led to increases in the tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, rigidity, thermal stability and melt viscosity of the composites. The composites made with the recycled matrix revealed higher thermal stability and melt viscosity than those made with the virgin matrix. Scanning electron microscopy characterization showed empty spaces where the curaua fibers had pulled out of the matrices in the fractured regions, indicating poor interfacial adhesion without the use of a coupling agent. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

In situ composites based on blends of a polyetherimide and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers subjected to shearfree deformations

The effects of shearfree elongational flows on the morphology and mechanical properties of blends of a polyetherimide (PEI) with thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers (TLCP) have been investigated. Extruded sheets and injection molded plaques of PEI/Vectra A and PEI/HX1000 blends, with a TLCP concentration of ≤30 wt%, were subjected to uniaxial elongation, planar and biaxial deformations at 240°C, above the glass transition temperature of the PEI, and at 265°C, which is below the melting point of the TLCPs. Experimental results revealed that each particular mode of shearfree deformation had a distinct effect on the morphology and properties of the blends. For instance, TLCP droplets were deformed into elongated fibrils by application of uniaxial elongation, deformed into elongated ribbon-like structures after planar deformation, and deformed into a disc-like shape by application of equibiaxial flow. Regarding mechanical properties, it was observed that the tensile modulus and strength of molded plaques of PEI/HX1000 80/20 wt% increased to about twice their initial values (from 5.13 to 10.40 GPa and from 105 to 198 MPa, respectively) after a strain of 0.75 was applied in a direction parallel to the initial direction of the TLCP fibers. In addition, samples exhibiting equal values of flow and transverse direction tensile modulus of ∼5.0 GPa were obtained when molded plaques of PEI/HX1000 80/20 wt% were subjected to planar stretching in a direction transverse to the initial direction of the fibers. Thus, by subjecting injection molded plaques to planar stretching, it was possible to obtain a sample exhibiting balanced flow and transverse direction mechanical properties and, consequently, reduced anisotropy.     

Mechanical properties of in situ composites based on partially miscible blends of polyetherimide and liquid crystalline polymers

Results related to the mechanical properties of in situ composites based on partially miscible blends of polyetherimide (Ultem) and liquid crystalline polymers (HX1000 and HX4000) are discussed. It is observed that, at least in terms of the tensile and flexural modulus, there is a positive deviation from the law of mixtures. These results are analyzed and an attempt is made to explain the origin of this synergistic behavior based upon morphological data. The behavior of these partially miscible systems is compared to that of an immiscible system (Ultem/Vectra) and also that of glass-reinforced Ultem. Using blends subjected to two passes through a single screw extruder, and thereby increasing the mixing history of the Ultem/HX4000 blend, led to improved dispersion but did not lead to any measurable improvement, within experimental error, in the tensile modulus or ultimate strength (though the toughness was enhanced). The dynamic creep compliance was measured and the creep behavior with composition and temperature is discussed. The data seem to suggest that a number of factors (including partial miscibility, the properties of the specific LCP chosen as the reinforcement and the final blend morphology) all interact in a complex and as yet undetermined manner to produce the enhanced mechanical properties.     

Formation,stability, and properties of in-situ composites based on blends of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and a thermoplastic elastomer

This paper describes the preparation and properties of in-situ composites based on polymers with no overlap in processing temperatures. The polymers used were Vectra A900, a thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester (TLCP), and Arnitel em630, a thermoplastic elastomer. Blends were generated by feeding the two components from separate extruders into a Ross static mixer. Different morphologies were obtained by varying the number of mixing elements of the static mixer. Using 8 mixing elements led to a stratified morphology of Vectra layers in Arnitel, using 11 mixing elements resulted in the desired continuous fiber/matrix morphology whereas a pronounced skin-core morphology was obtained with 14 mixing elements. It is argued that in-situ composites can be generated by a distributive mixing process without the formation of an intermediate droplet/matrix morphology as occurs in common dispersive blending equipment. Tensile modulus and strength of all blends increased with extrudate draw ratio as a result of increased molecular orientation of the TLCP phase. The level of reinforcement, however, was lower than expected, probably due to the low temperature of drawing. Annealing and capillary instability experiments showed that above the melting point of the TLCP the fiber/matrix morphology rapidly breaks up into a droplet/matrix morphology. This process takes just a few seconds for fibers of thickness ∼ 1 μm. It is shown to be the probable cause of the skin-core morphology obtained in case of 14 mixing elements.     

A comparative study of in-situ composite fibers reinforced with different rigid liquid crystalline polymers

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and 2 thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) with different chain rigidity were blended to make in-situ composite fibers on a conventional melt spinning equipment. The addition of the LCP-1 (60PHB–PET) with a less rigid chain has been found to lower the orientation of the as-spun fibers while the LCP-2 (VectraA900) with whole aromatic rigid chain has a reverse effect, as evidenced from the birefringence results. Both kinds of composite fibers with 5 wt % LCP have a good drawability. There is a diffraction peak characteristic of intermolecular packing of LCP on the wide-angle X-ray diffraction curve for the as-spun fibers containing LCP-2 but not the case for LCP-1. The morphology formed during elongational flow is highly dependent on the composition and rigidity of LCP. For the dispersed phases of LCP-1, it is relatively difficult to be elongated, whereas LCP-2 dispersed phases will be easily deformed into fibrils during melt spinning. The mechanical properties of the blend fibers containing the LCP-1 component are inferior to those containing the LCP-2 component. For the fibers with discontinuous fibril morphology, a Halpin–Tsai equation could well be used to describe the elastic modulus of in-situ composite fiber with LCP-2. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 70: 1035–1045, 1998     

Effect of stacking sequence on mechanical properties of hybrid flax/jute fibers reinforced thermoplastic composites

In this study, the hybrid composites were prepared by stacking jute/PP nonwoven and flax/MAPP woven fabrics in defined sequences. Polypropylene (PP) and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) were used as matrix materials. Jute and flax fibers were treated with alkali solution in order to improve the interface properties of the resultant composites. The mechanical properties of these hybrid composites were analyzed by means of tensile, flexural, and drop‐weight impact tests. The effect of fabric stacking sequence on the mechanical properties of the composites was investigated. The stacking of nonwovens at the top and in alternate layers has resulted in maximum flexural strength, flexural stiffness, and impact force. It was also shown that hybrid composites have improved tensile, flexural, and impact properties in comparison to neat PP matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:2167–2173, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Phase behavior and properties of in situ‐reinforcing elastomer composites based on thermoplastic elastomers and thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester

In situ reinforcing composites based on two elastomer matrices very different in melt viscosity, styrene–(ethylene butylene)–styrene triblock copolymer (Kraton G1650) and styrene–(ethylene propylene) diblock copolymer (Kraton G1701), and a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP), Rodrun LC3000, were prepared using a twin‐screw extruder. The rheological behavior, morphology, mechanical and thermal properties of the blends containing various LC3000 contents were investigated. G1650 was found to have much higher shear viscosity than G1701. All neat components and their blends exhibited shear thinning behavior. Melt viscosity of the blends gradually decreased with increasing LC3000 contents. Despite a large difference in melt viscosity of the two matrices, the results showed that the fibrillar morphology was obtained for both as‐extruded strands of LC3000/G1650 and LC3000/G1701 with up to 30 wt % LC3000. At 40 wt % LC3000 or more, the lamellar structure was observed for both types of blends because of the coalescence of liquid TLCP threads that occurred during extrusion. The addition of LC3000 into both elastomer matrices enhanced the tensile modulus considerably whereas the extensibility remarkably decreased. The results obtained from thermogravimetric analysis suggested that an addition of LC3000 into both elastomer matrices improved the thermal resistance significantly in air, but not in nitrogen. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1610–1619, 2006     

Novel reinforced polymers based on blends of polystyrene and a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer

A thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP), when added to polystyrene (PS), can function as both a processing aid and a reinforcing filler. Thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of the pure components and blends containing up to 10 percent LCP are reported. The LCP used is immiscible with PS, and when an extensional component of flow is present during processing, the LCP forms an elongated fibrous phase oriented in the flow direction. This oriented phase lubricates the melt, substantially lowering the viscosity. When the processed blend is cooled, the dispersed fibrous LCP phase is preserved in the solidified material. The LCP microfibers behave like short reinforcing fibers to improve the mechanical properties of the blend; for example, at an LCP concentration of 4.5 percent, the modulus is increased about 40 percent vs. pure PS.     

Study on long fiber–reinforced thermoplastic composites prepared by in situ solid‐state polycondensation

Long glass fiber–reinforced thermoplastic composites were prepared by a new process, in situ solid‐state polycondensation (INSITU SSP). In this process reinforcing continuous fibers were impregnated by the oligomer of PET melt, and then the impregnated continuous fibers were cut to a desired length (designated prepreg); finally, the prepreg was in situ polymerized in the solid state to form the high molecular weight matrix. SEM, FTIR spectra, short‐beam shear stress test, flexural strength test, impact strength test, and the intrinsic viscosity measurement were used to investigate the wetting and interfacial adhesion, the mechanical properties of the composite, and the molecular weight of matrix resin in the composite. The results showed that the molecular weight of PET in the matrix resin and mechanical properties could be adjusted by controlling the SSP time and that the high level of interfacial adhesion between reinforcing fibers and matrix resin could be achieved by this novel INSITU SSP process, which are attributed to the good wetting of reinforcing fibers with low molecular weight oligomer melt as the impregnation fluid, the in situ formation of chemical grafting of oligomer chains onto the reinforcing fiber surface, and the in situ formation of the high molecular weight PET chains in the interphase regions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91:3959–3965, 2004     

Influence of pyrolysis temperature on fracture response in SiOC based composites reinforced by basalt woven fabric

The fracture resistance of ceramic based composites reinforced by various ceramic fibres can be dramatically enhanced when an efficient fracture mechanism takes place during the crack propagation. Presented work shows an effect of the pyrolysis temperature of the composite matrix on the fracture behaviour of the composite. The matrix is formed from the polysiloxane resin precursor and the reinforcement is a basalt woven fabric. The temperature range under investigation was from 600 °C, where the onset of fracture properties were observed up to 800 °C. Above this temperature basalt fibres suffer by rapid degradation of the microstructure. The optimum stage of the polysiloxane resin transformation maximizing the fracture resistance of the composite was identified. The fractographic analysis of the fracture surfaces revealed the differences in the acting fracture mechanism.