Investigations have been carried out to study the effect of processing parameters, namely holding time, temperature, and pressure, on the consolidation quality and mechanical properties of GF/PP commingled yam based composites. The consolidation quality has been defined in terms of the void content in the laminate, and the mechanical property of the composite studied was short-span flexural strength. The results show that the greatest effect on the strength is due to processing temperature, followed by holding time. The increased strength due to increased holding time has been explained in terms of a decrease in void content and increased interfacial fiber-matrix adhesion.A statistical model was developed for optimizing processing parameters, and the results show excellent prediction of the required process parameters. It can be concluded that the statistical design methodology provides a useful means of studying and optimizing the processing parameters in the production of composites.
1. I. R. Shridar and L. T. Drzal. 1990. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 3, October: 325-355.
2.
2. D. M. Bigg. Manufacturing methods for long fiber reinforced polypropylene sheets and laminates, 263-291, 1995. Polypropylene: Structure, Blends and Composites. J. Karger-Kocsis, London, Chapman & Hall.
3.
3. I. Y. Chang and J. K. Lees. 1988. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 1,277-296.
4.
4. K. E. Goodman and A. C. Loos. 1990. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 3, 34-40.
5.
5. H. Bijsterbosch and R. J. Gaymans. 1993. Composites Manufacturing, 4,2: 85-92.
6.
6. D. C. Leach. Continuous Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastic Matrix Composites, 1989. Advanced Composites. I.K. Partridge, London, Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd.
7.
7. A. B. Strong. 1993. High Performance and Engineering Thermoplastic Composites, Lancaster, PA, USA, Technomic Publishing Company Inc.
8.
8. A. M. Vodermayer, J. C. Kaerger and G. Hinrichsen. 1993. Composites Manufacturing,4,3: 123-132.
9.
9. T. Astrom. 1997. Manufacturing of Polymer Composites, London, Chapman and Hall.
10.
10. A. G. Gibson and J.-A. Mdnson. 1992. Composites Manufacturing, 3, 4: 223-233.
11.
11. V. Klinkmfiller, M.-K. Um, M. Steffens, K. Friedrich and B.-S. Kim. 1995. Applied Composite Materials, 1:351-371.
12.
12. V. Klinkmuller, M.-K. Um, K. Friedrich and B. S. Kim. 1995. ICCM-IO, Whistler, B.C., Canada: 397-404.
13.
13. L. Ye and K. Friedrich. 1997. Advanced Composite Materials, 6, 2: 83-97.
14.
14. L. Ye and K. Friedrich. 1993. Composites Science and Technology, 46: 187-198.
15.
15. L. Ye and K. Friedrich. 1993. Journal of Materials Science, 28, 773-780.
16.
16. L. Ye and K. Friedrich. 1993. Composites, 24, 7: 557-564.
17.
17. L. Ye, K. Friedrich, J. Kastel and Y.-W. Mai. 1995. Composites Science and Technology, 54,54: 349-358.
18.
18. A. Beehag and L. Ye. 1995. Applied Composite Materials, 2: 135-151.
19.
19. A. Beehag and L. Ye. 1996. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 9, 129-150.
20.
20. A. Beehag and L. Ye. 1996. Composites Part A, 27A, 3: 175-182.
21.
21. G. O. Shonaike, H. Hamada, Z. Maekawa, M. Matsuda, T. Yuba and T. Matsuo. 1996. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 9, 76-89.
22.
22. W. I. Lee, M. F. Talbott and G. S. Springer. 1987. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 6, 2-12.
23.
23. M. D. Wakeman, T. A. Cain, C. D. Rudd, A. C. Long and R. Brooks. 1995.4th International Conference on Automated Composites, Nottingham, UK: 325-332.
24.
24. M. D. Wakeman, T. A. Cain, C. D. Rudd, R. Brooks and A. C. Long. 1998. Composites Science and Technology, 58, 12: 1879-1898.
25.
25. M. D. Wakeman, T. A. Cain, C. D. Rudd, R. Brooks and A. C. Long. 1999. Composites Science and Technology, 59, 5: 709-726.
26.
26. M. Akermo and B. T. Astrom. 1999. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 12, 297-316.
27.
27. G. Boyce, A. McMillan, W. Michaeli and C. Pohl. 1999. Proceedings of the 20th International SAMPE Europe Conference of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering, Paris, France: 137-148.
28.
28. C. Andersson., IFP, Private communication 1999.
29.
29. G. E. P. Box, W. G. Hunter and J. S. Hunter. 1978. Statisticsfor Experimenters. New York, Wiley Interscience
30.
30. H. A. Rijsdijk, M. Contant and A. A. J. M. Peijs. 1993. Composites Science and Technology, 48:161-172.
