Applications of Thermoplastic Composites

& Properties.

A composite material is a compoundthat consist of two or more materialcomponents that have differentphysical and chemical properties. Theresulting composite material hascharacteristics different from theindividual constituents. In a compositematerial the different components areseparated and distinct in finishedlayers.

They have various uses that span all industries and applications. Examples ofcomposite materials include cement for building materials, plastics like fiber-reinforced polymer, metal composites and ceramics like metal ceramics. Use ofcomposites has grown in importance in spacecraft and in aircraft environmentsamong other industries, and new composite materials are being developed constantlyto advance the boundaries and capabilities of material science.

Thermoplastic composites:

A thermoplastic is a polymeric materialthat can be shaped into a viscousmaterial at a temperature either higherthan its transition temperature or atemperature above its melting point.Thermoplastics can be made up of along, linear or branched materials whichare separated away from each otherchemically.

Production of composite materials doescome with its own challenges such as atime-consuming or expensiveproduction process, and potentiallyhigher scrap rates. Thermoplasticcomposites have proved to overcomethis problem as they are tough, stiff, andcost effective as they can be recycled.

Thermoplastic resins and fiber:

When discussing thermoplastic compositematerials, generally speaking thecomposite material will consist of astandard thermoplastic base resin which iscombined with some other additive orconstituent such as a metal powder, orcarbon fiber. The purpose of the addedconstituent is to add or improve a specificphysical property such as increasingimpact strength by adding glass fiber.

Thermoplastic composites have several advantages which include efficient heattolerance, longer half-life, relatively cheap, non-toxic and very low toxic level. They arealso reusable, machinable, and flexible for shaping and reforming. Thermoplasticscomposites are also stiffer compared to other injected molded plastics. Other featuresthat make the thermoplastic composites more useful is that they can be compoundedto result in a material that is tougher and lighter compared to aluminum.

Thermoplastic composites have become of great importance in use in the aerospaceindustry. Use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) has become of great benefit inthe production of aero crafts. Carbon-fibre reinforced thermoplastic are formed bycompounding the carbon fiber directly into the base resin to result in an easilyprocessed material that can be formed to shape. The resultant material is made to theright size and can consist of up to 60% by volume carbon fiber and 40% by volumeresin.

Typical thermoplastic materialsused include; carbon/PPS,carbon/PEKK, carbon/PEEK,carbon/PEI, glass/PPS, glass/PEI,and glass/PEEK.

A thermoplastic CFRP has great toleranceto fatigue and damage, it takes a shortertime to manufacture and has low moistureabsorption properties making itappropriate for an aerospace environment.

Aircraft companies in particular are using more and more thermoplastic composites given their enhanced durability and their optimal strength to weight ratio.

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