Abraham T.N., Wanjale S., Siengchin S., Karger-Kocsis J.
Defence Laboratory, Ratanada Palace, Jodhpur, 342011, India; Polymer Science and Engineering Division, National Chemical Laboratory, Pashan road, Pune 411008, India; Department of Production Engineering, Sirindhorn Intl. Thai Ger. Grad. Sch. of Eng. King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Polymer Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Built Environment, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Abraham, T.N., Defence Laboratory, Ratanada Palace, Jodhpur, 342011, India; Wanjale, S., Polymer Science and Engineering Division, National Chemical Laboratory, Pashan road, Pune 411008, India; Siengchin, S., Department of Production Engineering, Sirindhorn Intl. Thai Ger. Grad. Sch. of Eng. King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand; Karger-Kocsis, J., Department of Polymer Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Built Environment, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Cross-ply all-polypropylene (PP) composite laminates were prepared by hot consolidation after tape winding combined with film stacking. Alpha (α) PP tapes of different draw ratios (DR = 8 and 12), produced by online extrusion stretching, served as reinforcements. Beta (β)-nucleated random PP copolymer, introduced in the form of a film, composed the matrix. The E-modulus of the PP tapes increased whereas their density decreased with increasing DR. The volume fraction of the reinforcement and the void content were estimated using optical microscopic images. The all-PP composites were subjected to dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, flexural, and instrumented falling weight impact tests. It was found that with increasing draw ratio of the α-PP tapes, the stiffness, strength, and perforation resistance of the composites were improved. © The Author(s), 2010.
all-polypropylene composite; Composite laminate; Cross-ply; draw ratio.; Dynamic mechanical; dynamic mechanical thermal analysis; E-modulus; Falling weight impact; Film-stacking; Homopolymers; Impact behavior; matrix; Microscopic image; Online extrusion; Tape winding; Void contents; Copolymerization; Copolymers; Dynamic mechanical analysis; Dynamics; Laminates; Plastic products; Reinforcement; Thermoanalysis; Thermoplastics; Polymer matrix composites