IR THERMOGRAPHY STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF MOULDING PARAMETERS ON IMPACT RESISTANCE IN E-GLASS/POLYPROPYLENE

Infrared thermography has often been used to characterise impact damage on polymeric composite materials. In this study, the impact properties of commingled E-glass polypropylene composites (®Twintex) moulded using different tool temperatures (60, 80 and 100 °C) and different preheating time are compared. With this aim the material, a balanced weave laminate (1:1 Twintex) with 60 % wt glass content, compression moulded at different tool temperatures and using different preheating time, is impacted with impact energies ranging from 15 to 55 Joules. After that, the impact-damaged areas on the laminates are observed and characterised using a long pulse active thermography approach. The positive effect of an increasing tool temperature and of an increased preheating time on impact damage tolerance is clear from the analysis of thermographic images