Tests reveal how thermoplastic composites lose strength at elevated temperatures
by Oleg Sherbakov, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies .
by Oleg Sherbakov, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies .
The short version
- The results show that a composite's behavior under heating is determined primarily by the polymer matrix rather than the reinforcement.
- The findings will help engineers select materials for components operating at elevated temperatures in aviation, automotive, energy and other industries.
- The researchers tested how the strength of the materials changed when heated from room temperature to 280 °C.
What happened
The PPS-based composite withstood the highest temperatures: It retained strength even at 260 °C, and at 220 °C, it still retained more than half of its initial stiffness. The PA6-based material was the strongest at room temperature, but its properties gradually deteriorated under heating.
Why it matters
The PP-based composite, by contrast, began to degrade at temperatures above 120 °C and completely lost its load-bearing capacity by 160 °C.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Phys.org via the links above and below.