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DoITPoMS Micrograph Library Full Record for Micrograph 626
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Full Record for Micrograph 626

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Micrograph no
626
Brief description
Glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic matrix composite
Keywords
composite material Link to MATTER Glossary entry for composite material, fracture Link to MATTER Glossary entry for fracture, glass fibres Link to MATTER Glossary entry for glass fibres, impact, matrix Link to MATTER Glossary entry for matrix, melting, polymer Link to MATTER Glossary entry for polymer, polypropylene (PP), reinforcement Link to MATTER Glossary entry for reinforcement, thermoplastic
Categories
Composite, Fracture
System
Glass fibre composite
Composition
Polypropylene matrix with glass fibre
Standard codes
Reaction
Processing
An approximately symmetrical laminate was made from five plies of woven rovings and consolidated at 180 degrees C for 15 minutes
Applications
Thermoplastic matrix composites have superior impact absorption properties because of the plastic behaviour of the matrix
Sample preparation
The specimen has been shot with a ball bearing, at a velocity of approx 300ms-1, impact kinetic energy=31J
Technique
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Length bar
60 μm
Further information
This is an image of the edge of the crater on the impact side of the laminate. Fracture of the glass fibres themselves has occurred, with flat, perpendicular surfaces, indicating brittle failure. It is also clear, however, that the matrix has not only behaved plastically, but has even undergone local melting, resulting in strings and globules.
Contributor
H J Scott
Organisation
Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge
Date
03/10/02
Licence for re-use
DoITPoMS standard terms of use
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