Fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite rods

Abstract

The present investigation is concerned with the development of fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite rods using braiding process. An innovative technique has been developed to produce composite rods with outer braided layer of polyester fibres and axially reinforced with high performance glass fibres. Polypropylene filaments which were introduced in to the core along with the glass fibres during the braiding process formed the thermoplastic matrix upon melting. A special mould has been designed for uniform application of heat and pressure during the consolidation of the composite rods as well as for the alignment of core fibres. The cross-section of composite rods was characterized with help of optical microscopy in order to see the distribution of core fibres and matrix. The effect of amount of glass fibres on the mechanical properties (tensile and flexural) of composite rods has been investigated and discussed.