Hybridization Effect on the Mechanical Behavior of Monophase Reinforced PA66/Teflon Blend Based Hybrid Thermoplastic Composites

The Monophase reinforced hybrid thermoplastic composites are the materials for the superior mechanical behavior. This article deals with the effect of single reinforcing phase (Fiber) in hybrid mode on the mechanical behavior of PA66/Teflon blend. Two hybrid material systems were selected: 10 wt% short glass fibers (SGF) and 10 wt% short carbon fibers reinforced 80 wt% PA66/20 wt% Teflon (PA66/PTFE) blend (GB) and 10 wt% SGF and 10 wt% short basalt fibers reinforced 80 wt% PA66/20 wt% Teflon (PA66/PTFE) blend(GB). These hybrid composite materials were prepared by melt mixing method by using twin screw extruder followed by injection molding. The experimentally determined mechanical properties were tensile behavior, flexural behavior and impact behavior. Experimental results revealed that addition of hybrid short fibers into the blend greatly enhanced the mechanical behavior of PA66/PTFE composites. Increase in tensile strength by 46 and 33%, flexural strength by 45 and 57% for GC and GB composites respectively were observed. The GC composites had the better impact strength than GB composites. The peak load obtained was 36 and 48% higher than that of neat blend for GC and GB composites respectively were observed. The strain rate of the hybrid composites deteriorated due to the hybrid effect. The synergistic effect between the fibers and the matrix blend improved the mechanical behavior. The hybrid effect increased the size of the voids and also the number of aggregates of the short fibers. This would weaken the reinforcement effect simultaneously building the strong bridge for the development of internal crack. Fractured surfaces were observed through Scanning Electron Microscopy photographs.