Sheet extrusion and thermoforming of discrete long glass fibre reinforced polypropylene

• Published in: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Vol. 31; no. 12; pp. 1289 - 1294
• Main Authors: Torres, F.G, Bush, S.F
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Discontinuous reinforcement; Applied sciences; Composites; E. Extrusion; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; Thermo forming; A. Discontinuous reinforcement; Thermo forming; E. Extrusion; Thermoplastics; Propylene polymer; Thermoforming; Fiber reinforced material; Mechanical properties; Staple fiber; Tensile property; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; Foil; Extrusion molding; Composite material; Fiber orientation; Glass fiber
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/S1359-835X(00)00004-X

The present paper summarises the main aspects and the developments in sheet extrusion and thermoforming of discrete long glass fibre (LGF) composites using the SAFIRE (Self Assembling Fibre Reinforcement) technology. During extrusion the long glass fibres are organised into coherent fibre mats which persist into the solid state, and are able to withstand the deformation process that takes place during thermoforming. A process analysis has been performed for extrusion and thermoforming indicating the main individual operations. Both processes have been studied with regard to their performance with the materials used in the studies, namely polypropylene homo- and copolymer, with and without LGF reinforcement. Significant improvements in mechanical properties relative to the unreinforced materials have been found for the extruded sheets and the thermoformed products. Major improvements in processability relative to unreinforced PP have been found for the LGF materials. These are discussed in terms of the coherent fibre mat concept.