Manufacturing and characterization of PET/GF thermoplastic composites

Abstract

Traditional thermoset composites often require lengthy production cycles and have negative environmental impacts when reaching their end-of-life. Recyclable thermoplastic composites have the potential to increase production efficiencies through rapid manufacturing techniques such as hot press forming. The result is a faster manufactured product that not only cuts production time, but also benefits from favorable mechanical properties of advanced thermoplastic matrices. Integrating these materials into structural applications requires the ability to characterize, calibrate and successfully model these composites. The scope of this work was to mechanically characterize a PET/Glass fiber laminate for the purpose of developing computational material cards and acting as a guide for the challenges that may manifest during the characterization process. Composite panels were manufactured on a 150-ton press and cut into individual test specimens. The cut tensile, compression, and shear specimens were then analyzed under a microscope for edge quality and fiber-matrix interface characteristics. Tensile, compression and shear tests were all performed according to ASTM standards, and the quasistatic tests were used to develop finite element material cards.