1 CHAPTER 1. Literature Review: Thermoplastic Composite Materials. 1.0 Abstract. Polymer composites are playing an increasing role as construction materials in a wide variety of applications. In particular, thermoplastic polymer composites are falling under increasing scrutiny due to their potential to be easily repaired and/or reshaped, making them easier to recycle and reuse compared with thermosetting matrix composites. Thermoplastic composite materials, like thermosetting polymer composites, frequently suffer from a lack of fiber-matrix adhesion. This is typically remedied using fiber surface modification. Chemical modification or the addition of a third, compatibilizing phase bridging the fiber and matrix phases has been successfully applied to improving the interfacial characteristics of many polymer composite systems. Another problem encountered during the production of thermoplastic composites is quality of consolidation. Hot pressing is typically employed to obtain a uniform distribution of matrix material around the reinforcing fiber, remove voids, as well as bring about sufficient contact between the fiber and matrix. Biobased composite systems are a class of polymer composites that seek to remedy the issues regarding raw material sources as well as disposal at the end of the product life cycle. In particular, lignocellulosic biomass represents a large and renewable source of polymeric raw materials. A new class of biobased composites is currently under study at the Biobased Materials/Recycling Center of Virginia Tech. Cellulosic polymers in this case serve as both thermoplastic matrix and fiber reinforcement. In this study, the interfacial characteristics are to be examined as well as the consolidation behavior of the composite during hot pressing. The aims of this study are to determine whether or not there is a lack of fiber/matrix adhesion and if so, to determine whether or not fiber surface acetylation remedies this problem. Afterwards, consolidation will be examined over a range of times, temperatures and pressures to determine the condition(s) at which void content is minimized and interlaminar shear strength is maximized.
Literature Review: Thermoplastic Composite Materials
Jun 17, 2023
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Related Documents
