Properties of orthotropic glass–polypropylene composites manufactured by weaving of prepregtapes and other routes

Abstract

This paper reports a study of the melt impregnation and weaving of glass–polypropylene prepreg tapes into sheet for use as a precursor for pressed thermoplastic composite products and a comparison of the properties attainable with those achievable by other comparable routes. Melt impregnation has been used successfully to manufacture well impregnated tapes, with and without internal coupling agent. It appears that weaving could be an economically viable process for converting unidirectional tape into a conformable, press formable prepreg. The properties of glass–polypropylene laminates manufactured by pressing the tape woven product were compared with those of other glass–polypropylene composites, including crossply laminate made from Plytron and samples prepared by film stacking. Quasi-static mechanical properties were found to be comparable with those of Plytron and superior to those of the other materials. In the coupled samples, coupling was somewhat less effective than in Plytron. The impact behaviour of the pressed, tape woven products was impressive and superior to any of the other materials tested.