A preliminary investigation of tensile properties of glass-mat woven-fabric-reinforced thermoplastic elastomer composites

Glass-mat woven-fabric-reinforced santoprene composites were fabricated at various temperatures and processing times. The molding temperatures were 190, 200, 210, 220 and 230 degrees C, and the impregnation time was varied between 1 and 30 minutes. Samples were compression molded, and the effects of processing variables such as temperature and time on tensile properties were studied. The degree of impregnation of matrix resin into the reinforcing glass mat was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and tensile properties. In samples fabricated at 190 degrees C, complete impregnation occurred before 10 minutes. The processing temperature had a pronounced effect on the composites; that is. degradation of the matrix resin occurred in samples fabricated at elevated temperatures. Evidence of degradation of the matrix resin processed above 190 degrees C is confirmed by depression of the melting point of the matrix resin and reduction of the tensile strength. The tensile properties of the composites depend on the quantity of voids. Thus, the higher the void content, the lower the tensile properties.