Investigation of the mechanical properties of polymer matrix composite materials

In this study, a comparative assessment of the mechanical properties of chopped carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide 6, and polyamide 12 composites was performed. Variation on the composites was obtained by changing the volumetric ratios of the composite elements under the same manufacturing method and conditions. After blending reinforcement and matrix materials by using the extrusion method, the composite materials were manufactured in the shape of plates by the press molding technique. Then, tensile, 3-point bending, drop weight, and hardness tests of the manufactured composites were carried out, and surface morphology of the fractured surfaces was examined by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). ANOVA analysis using S/N values, and F-Test were performed to observe the effectiveness of each test factor (matrix, fiber, and additive content) on the test results. The calculated F values were greater than the critical F values and provided the targeted 95% confidence level. A mathematical model was developed using the least squares optimization method of the obtained experimental data. Finally, numerical analysis of the PE125 pipe used in the natural gas infrastructure was carried out using the finite element method, using the mechanical properties of the most suitable mixture according to the test results.