Fatigue resistance of continuous glass fiber/polypropylene composites: Temperature dependence

• Published in: Polymer composites 2004-12, Vol.25 (6), p.622-629
• Main Authors: Bureau, M. N., Denault, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Laminates; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0272-8397; 1548-0569
• DOI: 10.1002/pc.20057

The effect of testing temperature on the fatigue resistance of continuous glass fiber/polypropylene (CGF/PP) composites was studied. Fatigue resistance curves (or S‐N curves) were obtained at −40°C, 23°C and 50°C. Both on an absolute stress basis and on a normalized stress basis (with respect to the yield stress at the temperature considered), the S‐N curves showed that CGF/PP composites had excellent fatigue performance at 23°C and that their performance was actually improved at −40°C (below Tg of the PP matrix). The S‐N curves at 50°C showed that, although the composite flexural strength was reduced because of PP matrix softening, their fatigue performance remained relatively high, as it is controlled by the CGF reinforcement. Comparison with a CGF/thermoset isophthalic polyester composite of identical fiber architecture and similar flexural strength at 23°C indicated that the properties of the thermoplastic PP matrix provided improved fatigue resistance, both on an absolute and a normalized basis, especially below the glass transition temperature. It was concluded that the fact that the fatigue performance of the CGF/polyester composite is only weakly temperature‐dependent, while that of the CGF/PP composite is strongly temperature‐dependent, does not necessarily mean that it shows superior performance. Polym. Compos. 25:622–629, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.