Fire performance of continuous glass fibre reinforced polycarbonate composites: The effect of fibre architecture on the fire properties of polycarbonate composites

Abstract

The fire performance of polycarbonate resin and the role of glass fibre reinforcement in altering the fire performance was investigated. Three different fibre weaves with comparable surface density, plain, twill, and unidirectional glass fabrics, were used as reinforcements. E-glass fabrics were solution-impregnated with polycarbonate/dichloromethyl, laid up, and compression-moulded to consolidate the glass fibre reinforced polycarbonate composite. Cone calorimetry tests with an incident radiant flux of 35 kW/m² were used to investigate the fire properties of polycarbonate resin and its composites. Results showed that glass fibre reinforcement improves polycarbonate performance by delaying its ignition, decreasing its heat release rate, and lowering the mass loss rate. The three fibre weave types exhibited similar time to ignition. However, unidirectional fibre had a 35% lower peak heat release rate followed when compared to plain and twill weave fibres.

Keywords

Polycarbonate resin glass fibre reinforced polycarbonate fire performance fibre orientation fabric architecture

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