Effect of fiber orientation and fiber volume fraction on the mechanical properties of all‐polyamide composites

Abstract Thermoplastic all‐polymer composites (with reinforcing fibers and matrix material made of the same material) have attracted strong interest in recent years, because they provide big potential in recycling after usage over the traditional composites with inorganic reinforcements. The present work investigates a new preparation concept of all‐polyamide composites, based on intermingled hybrid yarn of polyamide‐6 and polyamide‐66 fibers. Composites with desired reinforcing fiber orientation can be prepared by technical embroidering of the hybrid yarn in the desired direction on a polyamide‐6 fabric. The composite is then prepared by thermoforming at 230°C, ensuring the intact reinforcing and unmelted PA66 fibers embedding in a molten PA6 matrix. Therefore this preparation concept is based on the different melting temperature of PA6 and PA66. The mechanical properties of composites with different ratio between matrix and reinforcement material and different reinforcing fiber orientation are characterized with quasi‐static and high‐speed tensile and with penetration tests.