Impact Properties of Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites

In the last decade, continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRTP), including thermoplastic prepregs, unidirectional tapes, and organo-sheets, have taken a major role as viable structural materials rivaling pre-impregnated and pultruded thermoset composites. The major advantage of continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composites is their ability to deliver 26 high mechanical properties at a lighter weight, enhanced chemical resistance, inexpensive transportation and storage rates, and high-speed processing. In addition, they can be readily incorporated as selective reinforcement in commonly used short fiber and long fiber thermoplastic processes. The goal of this project is to study the pendulum and drop weight impact properties of various CFRTP composites. These properties are of interest in automotive and aerospace applications. Materials to be investigated include CF/PPS, GF/PPS, and GF/PET, CF/PA66, CF/PA12 from Celanese and GF/PP from Avient. Samples have been fabricated and conditioned in two common application environments including exposure to moisture and ultraviolet light. The effect of these environments on the Izod impact properties of the CFRTP materials will be presented and discussed in this poster.