Development of carbon fibre/polyamide 6,6 commingled hybrid yarn for textile-reinforced thermoplastic composites

Abstract

With increased use of carbon fibre (CF)-based textile-reinforced thermoplastic composites, the demand of hybrid yarns consisting of carbon filament yarns (CFYs) and thermoplastic filament yarns with improved properties is also high. Hybrid yarn manufacturing using commingling process by means of compressed air shows some distinct advantages over other hybrid yarn manufacturing processes. However, the potential of commingling process for the production of CF-based thermoplastic hybrid yarns is not yet fully explored. In this article, extensive investigations have been carried out for the development of commingled hybrid yarns manufactured from CFY and polyamide 6,6 (PA 6,6) filament yarns with improved adhesion properties between CFY and matrix in composites. Hybrid yarns are manufactured by varying air pressure and keeping overfeeds and delivery speed constant. Moreover, an additional heat treatment on CFY is done online for a better opening of CFY prior to the mixing with PA 6,6 filament yarn. The tensile properties of hybrid yarns as well as different mechanical properties of unidirectional composite, such as tensile, flexural, impact and interlaminar shear strength are investigated. The results show good potential for the development of hybrid yarns produced from CFY and thermoplastic filament yarns with improved adhesion properties for their application in textile-reinforced thermoplastic composites.