Evaluation of the mechanical properties of chopped carbon fibre reinforced polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide 6, and polyamide 12 composites

Abstract

In this study, a comparative assessment of the mechanical properties of chopped carbon fibre (CF) reinforced polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide 6 (PA6), and polyamide 12 (PA12) composites was performed. A variation in the composites was obtained by changing the fibre volume fraction of the composite elements under the same manufacturing method and conditions. After blending reinforcement and matrix materials using the extrusion method, the composite materials were manufactured in the shape of plates with thermoforming. The composites’ tensile and 3-point bending tests were carried out, and the surface morphology of the fractured surfaces was examined by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). As the fibre content in all matrices increased, the efficiency of the fibre in the composites decreased. Finally, ANOVA analysis and mathematical model development by the least square optimization method were performed to analyse and fit experimental data. As a result of the ANOVA analysis, it was seen that the matrix type was more effective on the composite than the fibre type. The error of the modelling performed is less than 20% for the tensile and three-point bending tests.