Investigation of Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Aramid Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomer Composites

Along with the emergence of thermoplastic polyurethane materials with its elastomeric behavior, there has been an improvement in the production of composites with functional properties by adding additives as well as advantages such as high production rates and diversity. In this study, thermal and mechanical behaviors of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomer reinforced with aramid fiber (Kevlar) fabrics with different layers were investigated. Particular emphasis has been placed on the optimization of parameters such as good distribution and impregnation of TPU elastomers used as reinforcements on Kevlar interfaces. Composite samples prepared in 1, 2 and 3 layers of Kevlar fabric by using hot pressing method which were heated at 180 °C under the pressure of 10 MPa for 20 minutes to obtain the final product. Optical, modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, % elongation and thermal conductivity values of TPU reinforced Kevlar composite materials with different layer ranges are compared. It is concluded that the high mechanical strength and the high thermal conductivity values are associated with the amount of thermoplastic polyurethane materials between the kevlar sheets in few layered composite structures. It is also seen that the mechanical strength strongly depends on pore volume, adhesion on fiber-matrix interfaces and matrix concentration on aramid fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane composites