Hybrid yarns for thermoplastic composites: Manufacturing methods and properties

Abstract

Recently, fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite materials have been widely used due to their superior properties such as their fracture toughness and recyclability. Beside these superior properties, their high melting viscosity and low thermal resistance constitute their weaknesses. To overcome the problems such as high melting viscosity, which impede the operating conditions of thermoplastic materials and increase the costs, the idea of mixing reinforcing fiber with the matrix in solid state, has been developed. Consequently various kinds of hybrid yarn have been used as semi-product in the manufacturing of thermoplastic composite. In the present study different yarn manufacturing methods, yarn structures and properties are given in detail. The effect of hybrid yarn manufacturing methods, as well as the process parameters on the yarn structure and properties are characterized. © 2017 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.