Properties of GF/PP Commingled Yarn Composites

Abstract

The influence of glass-fiber (GF)/polypropylene (PP) commingled yarn structure on the impregnation quality of laminates is investigated by characterizing the microstructure and mechanical properties of the laminates. For this study, the degree of interlacing of the commingled yarns is taken as a measure of the structure of commingled yarns. Properties of laminates made by compression molding of commingled yarns are compared with those of laminates made with two other methods of composite manufacturing: film stacking and side-by-side (SBS) winding of glass roving and PP yarns. The results show that the degree of interlacing has a significant influence on the void content, fiber impregnation, and tensile behavior of composites made from commingled yarns. Laminates made from SBS and film stacking show more voids and dry fibers than those made from commingled yarns for the same consolidation conditions.

Keywords

commingling thermoplastic composites degree of interlacing voids.

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