Characterization of glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites for processing

DSC thermal analysis and multi-channel recorder have been used to investigate the processing conditions for fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites, The process combined the film stacking and intermingled fiber technique using needle-punching to improve the fiber-matrix distribution. The preheating temperature and mold temperature for fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites were in the range of 180 similar to 200 degrees C and 60 similar to 100 degrees C, respectively. Multi-channel recorder was used to determine the completion of impregnation on multi-layer glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene which could significantly reduce the manufacturing cycle time. The main steps in the processing cycle on the surface of composite or inside the composite were determined. The concept of a processing window with respect to solidification rate and molding pressure was introduced and briefly discussed. The mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced polypropylene composite inside the processing window were better than those outside the processing window and were comparable to GEAZDEL(R).