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Thermoplastic composites based on flax fibres and polypropylene: Influence of fibre length and fibre volume fraction on mechanical properties
Author(s) -
Peijs Ton,
Garkhail Sanjeev,
Heijenrath Rob,
van Den Oever Martien,
Bos Harriëtte
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.19981270126
Subject(s) - composite material , materials science , polypropylene , thermoplastic , maleic anhydride , volume fraction , stiffness , glass fiber , fiber , izod impact strength test , ultimate tensile strength , polymer , copolymer
Natural‐fibre‐mat‐reinforced thermoplastic (NMT) composites based on flax fibre mats and a Polypropylene (PP) matrix were manufactured using (i) a film‐stacking method and (ii) a paper making process. The influence of fibre length and fibre content on stiffness and strength is reported and compared with data for glass‐mat‐reinforced thermoplastic (GMT) composites, including the influence of using maleic‐anhydride grafted PP. The data is also compared with existing micromechanical models like Kelly‐Tyson and Cox‐Krenchel for strength and stiffness, respectively. A good agreement was found between theory and experiment in case of stiffness while in case of strength the experimental values fall well below the theoretical predictions. Results indicated that NMTs are of interest for low‐cost engineering applications and can compete with commercial GMTs, especially when a high stiffness per unit weight is desirable. Results also indicated that the key area for future development lies not only in improved adhesion but mainly in improving the fibre strength.