Pultruded Hybrid Reinforced Compounds with Glass/Cellulose Fibers in a Polybutylene Terephthalate Matrix: Property Investigation

Abstract

The fiber type, orientation of the fiber, fiber-matrix adhesion, and the fiber length are very important for the performance of a short fiber reinforced plastic. Hybrid reinforced polybutylene terephthalate and reference compounds were tested using tensile, Charpy impact, and three-point bending mechanical tests. The interaction of regenerated cellulose fiber and glass fiber was investigated using a polybutylene terephthalate matrix at a fiber volume content of 10%. The ratios of each fiber type was varied. The compounds were pultruded with an extrusion die to have an even fiber length of 3 mm after granulating. In a second step, the specimens were injection molded for mechanical testing. The results were compared to the rule of hybrid mixtures (RoHM) prediction. It was shown that the results of the hybrid reinforced compound were close to the RoHM prediction. The Charpy impact tests show a high positive hybrid effect. The fiber length shows an interaction that is dependent on the ratio of each fiber type.