The mechanical properties of unidirectional all-polypropylene composites

• Published in: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Vol. 37; no. 5; pp. 716 - 726
• Main Authors: Alcock, B., Cabrera, N.O., Barkoula, N.-M., Loos, J., Peijs, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Filament winding; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Laminate mechanics; Laminates; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Recycling; Tape; Technology of polymers; Laminate mechanics; Recycling; Filament winding; Tape; Laminate; Unidirectional fiber material; Propylene polymer; Synthetic fiber; Fiber reinforced material; Mechanical properties; Tensile property; Compressive strength; Processability; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; Composite material; Coextrusion molding; Olefin polymer; Technological properties
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2005.07.002

The creation of highly oriented, co-extruded polypropylene (PP) tapes allows the production of recyclable ‘all-polypropylene’ composites, with a large temperature processing window (>30 °C) and a high volume fraction of highly oriented PP (>90%). These composites show little deviation of mechanical properties with compaction temperature. This paper introduces all-polypropylene composites and reports the tensile and compressive properties of unidirectional composites. These composites show good retention of tape properties despite the relatively high temperatures used in composite manufacture.