Effect on residual strength properties of needle punched chopped strand mat composites

Abstract

In recent years, due to its high specific stiffness and strength, fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) are being used in aerospace components, automobile components, sports equipment, and in various other applications. Especially since composite laminates have superior mechanical properties, there is a high demand for their use as structural materials. However, mechanical properties in the out-of-plane direction of composite laminates, specifically the interlaminar strength and fracture toughness, are much weaker than those in the in-plane direction. This study focuses on the needle punch techniques that aim to improve composite properties in the out-of-plane direction. This technique is typically used for fabricating non-woven fabrics. Fiber webs were punched by a plate containing many special needles with many barbs. A portion of fibers in the in-plane direction were aligned in the out-of-plane direction. In this study, the needle punch process is applied on chopped strand mats. Static tensile tests, fatigue loading tests, and residual strength tests are performed. Tensile properties, residual strength properties and fracture mechanisms of FRPs with needle-punched chopped strand mats are investigated.