| Abstract: | Sheet composites of polypropylene and poly(ethylene terephthalate) were produced by melt consolidation of alternating layers of polymer films and random glass fiber mats. The composites had a nominal glass content of 50 wt% (～30 vol%). The sheets were stamped into a complex part from which test specimens were machined, and mechanical properties determined. Flexural strengths as high as 159 MPa were recorded for polypropylene composites and 313 MPa for poly(ethylene terephthalate) composites. The flexural modulus of the polypropylene composites reached 9.1 MPa, whereas the modulus of the stiffest poly(ethylene terephthalate) composite was 15 GPa. The impact properties of the composites were equally high. Polypropylene composites absorbed up to 257 J/cm during an instrumented falling dart impact test. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) composites absorbed as much as 116 J/cm in the same test. |
