A Fractographic Study of PE, PP Self-reinforced Composites in Quasi-static Loading Conditions

TLDR: In this paper, the fractographic analysis of self-reinforced polymer composite materials (SRCs) is performed for the purpose of deep understanding of their microstructural properties and correlations with the structural properties.

Abstract: This study is an attempt to fill the gap in the fractographic studies conducted in various quasi-static mechanical tests to recognize the failure mechanisms and their correlation with its properties of self-reinforced polymer composite materials (SRC). SRCs are the class of composite materials developed by combining the same family of materials as constituent matrix and reinforcement. Thermoplastic linear aliphatic olefins like polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are the systems analysed here for the purpose of deep understanding of their microstructural properties and correlations with the structural properties. Tension, in-plane shear and flexural parameters are tested, evaluated and correlated with corresponding fractographic features revealed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Selecting three different systems for this analysis also assisted in comparative study of various failure mechanisms and variations in fractographic features of SRCs with different chemical structure under quasi-static loading conditions. Fractography revealed failure mechanisms like matrix cracking, categories of fibre failures under different types of loading, effect of interface in bonding as well as fracture, shear flow patterns of matrix, phenomena like brooming, effect of coating in interface and fracture under quasi-static loading and behaviour matrix and reinforcement under various quasi-static loading.