Development of flax-PP based twist-less thermally bonded roving for thermoplastic composite reinforcement

• Published in: Journal of the Textile Institute Vol. 110; no. 10; pp. 1369 - 1379
• Main Authors: Bar, Mahadev, Alagirusamy, R., Das, Apurba
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Manchester Taylor & Francis 03.10.2019; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Bonding; Flax; flax fibre; flexible prepreg; Heat treatment; Polymer matrix composites; Process parameters; Rigidity; thermally bonded roving; Thermoplastic resins; Twist-less yarn
• ISSN: 0040-5000; 1754-2340
• DOI: 10.1080/00405000.2019.1610997

In the present work, a novel, flax-polypropylene (PP) based twist-less, thermally bonded, flexible roving has been produced in a specially designed machine. Fibres in the roving are highly oriented towards the roving axis and are held together by means of thermoplastic resin. This type of twist-less rovings is expected to provide better strength translation in thermoplastic composites. Box and Behnken design has been used to study the effects of different roving formation process parameters on different properties of thermally bonded roving. It has been observed that the weavability, tenacity, modulus and flexural rigidity of thermally bonded roving increases with increasing thermal treatment temperature. Whereas, modulus and flexural rigidity of the thermally bonded roving initially decrease and then start increasing with increasing natural fibre content and number of drawing passages. The tenacity and weveability performance of the thermally bonded roving increase with increasing natural fibre content and number of drawing passages.