Mechanical Performance of Self-Reinforced Polymer Composites Based on Other Polymers

5 Mechanical Performance of Self-Reinforced Polymer Composites Based on Other Polymers 

The PMMA-based setf-reinforced polymer composites presented in this review are typically of lower mechanical properties as a direct consequence of the lower mechanical properties of the precursor PMMA fibres. Table 6 lists the mechanical properties of some of the self-reinforced polymer composites based on PMMA that have been described in this review. Wright-Charlesworth et al. reported unidirectional PMMA self-reinforced polymer composites with a longitudinal flexural modulus of 4 GPa and a longitudinal tensile strength of 168 MPa [25], These composites were produced by sintering adjacent fibres in a similar concept to the hot compaction concept of selective surface melting of fibres. 

Stacking filament-fused foils with the addition of approximately 5% polyester-based melt adhesive. LCP foils as thin as 3 pm have also been described [218] that possess mechanical properties approaching those of commercially produced LCP fibres, while preserving as much as 90% of the width of the die through which they were extruded. 

Since the mechanical properties of a composite material are dependent on the mechanical performance of the components, the use of a higher performance reinforcement will increase the maximum achievable properties of a self-reinforced polymer composite. The inherent molecular stiffiiesses of the polymers considered in this review, and the drawability, degree of molecular orientation and the processing route used will govern the achievable mechanical properties of the precursor fibre. Important factors such as fibre volume fraction and fibre architecture will strongly affect the properties of the final composite but, ultimately, the 

Lead author, year Polymer Composite Consolidation Longitudinal Longitudinal 

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