The influence of fibre properties of the performance of glass-fibre-reinforced polyamide 6,6

We discuss the effect of fibre strength and diameter on the balance of mechanical properties of glass-reinforced polyamide 6,6. The results show that the elastic properties of injection-moulded short-glass-fibre-reinforced polyamide 6,6 are not strongly influenced by fibre diameter in the 10-17 micron range. The ultimate properties of these composites (strength and Izod impact behaviour) showed a clear dependence on fibre diameter and were increased by the presence of high-strength S-2 glass fibres. The relationship between the observed mechanical properties and the length, diameter and orientation of the fibres is explored. We have measured fibre length as a function of diameter in composites containing a single glass-reinforcement product and blends of two glass products. The reduction in glass-fibre length from glass-fibre production to final composite moulding has been followed step by step. The final composite mechanical properties, the fibre length, strength, diameter and orientation are all inter-related. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.