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An evaluation of three different techniques for melt impregnation of glass fiber bundles with polyamide 12
Author(s) -
Van De Steene Willem,
Verstockt Jan,
Degrieck Joris,
Ragaert Kim,
Cardon Ludwig
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.24789
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , extrusion , pultrusion , glass fiber , fiber , scanning electron microscope , polyamide , composite number , optical microscope
In this research, three different techniques for melt impregnation of glass fiber bundles with polyamide 12 are assessed with the aim of creating a high strength and modulus material suitable for extrusion based additive manufacturing. Impregnation quality of three production techniques: “Pultrusion”, “PassivePin”, and “ActivePin” were analyzed using three methods: matrix material mass fraction ( M m ) determination, scanning electron microscopy of composite fracture surfaces and optical microscopy of polished composite cross sections. Pultrusion material has an overall poor impregnation degree ( D i ) and fiber distribution and dispersion, the specimens lack mechanical strength and show fiber pull‐out due to the excessive voids in the matrix. The PassivePin material has a significantly higher D i and a better fiber distribution, which results in less voids in the matrix and limited fiber pull‐out. Finally, the ActivePin material scores significantly higher in D i and shows an excellent fiber distribution. As a consequence, very limited voids are observed and an even fracture surface without fiber pull‐out is obtained. It is concluded that the ActivePin technique would be a great choice for application in an extrusion‐based AM process, this method could allow for production of high strength and stiffness objects. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:601–608, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers