Effects of UV Light on Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced PPS Thermoplastic Composites

Abstract

Summary The recent attention in the applications of the fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite have raised some concerns because of the ability and performance of the fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite after long‐term exposures to environmental weathering (e.g., UV radiation, moisture, and oxygen). This weathering can be very destructive to the thermoplastic polymers; hence, a systematic study of the UV radiation effects on the properties of fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composite is crucial for industrial applications. The major objective of the project was to study the correlation between thermoplastic fabrication parameters and the final properties of composites. In this study, carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) thermoplastic composites were manufactured using high temperature press after optimizing the parameters. Subsequently, the effects of long‐term UV exposures on the thermal and mechanical properties of CF/PPS thermoplastic composites were investigated in detail. The test results showed that the correlation between the processing parameters and the physical properties of the laminate composites were in all good agreements. The test results also revealed a significant decrease in the glass transition temperature, as well as storage modulus, and tensile strengths. Furthermore, short (200 hrs) and long (300 hrs) term UV exposures changed various thermal and mechanical properties of the thermoplastic PPS composites. This study can provide some preliminary knowledge to engineers and scientists in the field and develop new set of structural composites.

Effect of crystallinity on CF/PPS performance under weather exposure: Moisture, salt fog and UV radiation

“…Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is a high performance thermoplastic that is getting increasing attention in aerospace applications [1,2]. This polymer can attain a high crystallinity degree (~60%) and has excellent mechanical properties, i.e.…”

“…This polymer can attain a high crystallinity degree (~60%) and has excellent mechanical properties, i.e. high modulus and tensile strength [1,3]. Due to its high crystallinity and aromatic structure, the mechanical properties are retained up to 200 C [1].…”

“…high modulus and tensile strength [1,3]. Due to its high crystallinity and aromatic structure, the mechanical properties are retained up to 200 C [1]. Moreover, PPS is chemically inert and not affected by aircraft fluids [3].…”

“…High performance thermoplastic composites can be obtained by different processing techniques, namely powder processing, film stacking, and semi-preg consolidation [1]. During the molding cycle, the cooling rate will influence the way in which the polymer chains are organized to form the crystalline arrangement.…”

“…During the molding cycle, the cooling rate will influence the way in which the polymer chains are organized to form the crystalline arrangement. The final degree of crystallization and the morphology of the crystals will have a direct influence on the mechanical properties and on the environmental performance of the composite [1,3].…”