The influence of fibre length, diameter and concentration on the impact performance of long glass-fibre reinforced polyamide 6,6

Results of an investigation of the mechanical performance of injection moulded long, glass-fibre reinforced polyamide 6,6 composites are presented. The glass-fibre content in these composites was varied over the range of 10-50% by weight using fibres with average diameters of 10, 14 and 17 mu m. Impact testing was carried out at 40, 23 and 80 degrees C on dry-as-moulded and boiling water conditioned samples. The results from these long fibre composites are compared with standard extrusion compounded short glass-fibre materials. Data on the influence of fibre diameter, fibre concentration, residual fibre length, hydrothermal conditioning and testing temperature oil the composite performance in notched and unnotched pendulum impact tests and multiaxial instrumented impact tests are presented and discussed. All of the above parameters are shown to have significant influence on impact performance. However, the level of these effects is shown to depend on which type of impact test is being considered. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.