Investigation of the Processing Time of Fibre Reinforced Thermopalstic Composites with Improved Thermal Properties

R. Brüll, G. Seide, T. Gries
RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany

Abstract:
Both the automotive industry as well as the aerospace industry aim to achieve the lowest possible weight at maximized mechanical properties. In order to achieve the mentioned efficiency while staying profitable, fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites (FRTCs), are being developed. These can be produced by commingling thermoplastic fibres with reinforcement fibres to hybrid yarns and weaving these into fabrics. The textile structures are subsequently heated and consolidated through compression moulding. However, the heating and cooling times of the organic sheets are the cycle-time determining factors. The shortening effect of nanoscale fillers on the heating and cooling times of hybrid yarn based thermoplastic composites was observed at the Institute for Textile Technology, Aachen. The goal of the presented work is the characterization of the potential of this effect for industrial applications. This work will focus on the influences of the investigated particles on the processing of Polyamide 6 and the resulting cycle times for the production of FRTCs.