Study on the properties of thermoplastic nonwoven interlayer toughened GF/EVE composites, i.e. toughening mechanism

Zaizhen Zhang1, Zhenyan Yin1, Nana Shi1
1Agriculture and Forestry Technology College, Weifang Engineering Vocational College, Qingzhou, Shandong, 262500, China

Abstract

In order to improve the impact toughness and service life of GF/EVE composites, this paper applies the thermoplastic nonwoven fabric structure to the preparation of GF/EVE composites. The thermoplastic polyurethane was used as the raw material, and the meltblown method was used for the preparation of thermoplastic nonwoven fabrics, and then the prepared thermoplastic nonwoven fabrics were used for the preparation of GF/EVE composites through the VARTM device. For the properties of GF/EVE-TPU composites, specific test methods are given to define the moisture absorption rate and the erosion performance based on the consideration of the stress change of its hygrothermal properties, and the determination of the interlaminar fracture toughness is given.The critical damage threshold load of GF/EVE-TPU composites is 1.57kN, and its contact force increases with time, and the composites are aging in After 60 days, its moisture absorption and erosion weight loss in alkaline environment were 0.736% and 81.19%, respectively.The optimum fracture toughness value of 9g/m² thermoplastic nonwoven structure incorporated into GF/EVE composite was 0.97kJ/m², and the GIIC value of GF\EVE-TPU30 was increased compared with the GF/EVE material without interlaminar toughening by 183.83%. Combining the thermoplastic nonwoven fabric structure with GF/EVE composites can enhance the erosion resistance and interlaminar toughness of the composites and improve the service life of GF/EVE composites.

Keywords: thermoplastic polyurethane, nonwoven fabric, VARTM device, GF/EVE composites, interlaminar fracture toughness