Thermal aging influence on the damage mechanisms of fully recycled composite‐reinforced polypropylene/polyethylene blend

Abstract

The main aim of this work is to study the effect of thermal aging on damage mechanisms of a totally recycled composite. The studied material was elaborated by injection molding from a mixture of both recycled matrix (polypropylene‐polyethylene blend) and reinforcement (short carbon fibers). Damage mechanisms analysis was carried out using scanning electron microscope (in situ three point bending tests performed on specimens taken at different times of oxidation under different temperatures: 120, 130, and 140°C. Damage mechanisms were identified for different material states. It was shown that thermal aging affects the fiber–matrix interfacial zone while good adhesion between the reinforcement and the matrix was observed for the virgin sample. Furthermore, a quantitative analysis was performed at the local scale in a representative zone of the tensile area. Representative local damage indicators were defined. Results display clearly that damage evolutions always begin during the induction period. Thermal aging effect was then analyzed through the comparison of damage thresholds and kinetics for different material states after different times of oxidation. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3342–3350, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers

Investigation of the accelerated thermal aging behavior of polyetherimide and lifetime prediction at elevated temperature

“…The influence of thermal aging on polymer surfaces has been studied in various polymers and resins, and can result for example in micro‐crack formation, surface cracking, or change in surface roughness 59–61 . In order to investigate the effect of thermal aging on the surface of PEI samples, FE‐SEM images were taken at different aging times and temperatures.…”

“…The influence of thermal aging on polymer surfaces has been studied in various polymers and resins, and can result for example in micro-crack formation, surface cracking, or change in surface roughness. [59][60][61] In order to investigate the effect of thermal aging on the surface of PEI samples, FE-SEM images were taken at different aging times and temperatures. Figure 11 shows examples of results obtained for the control samples (Figure 11a), after 12 weeks of aging at 190 C (Figure 11b) and 200 C (Figure 11c), and after 8 weeks of aging at 210 C (Figure 11d).…”