Single Polymer Composites Made of Melt-blown PP Mats and the Modelling of the Uniaxial Tensile Behaviour by the Fibre Bundle Cells Method

Abstract

In this study, we generated polypropylene fibre mats via melt blowing (average diameter:1.03 µm), and then produced self-reinforced composites using hot compaction and investigated the effect of the processing temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that our composites had good consolidation, low void content and besides, the fibres and the matrix were clearly distinguishable. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests showed that the composites are easy to recycle by re-melting. The tensile tests of the melt-blown nonwovens and the produced composites revealed that increasing the temperature of hot compaction results in embrittlement (from ductile to brittle) of the samples, which means higher specific tensile forces and smaller deformations. Using the Fibre Bundle Cells modelling method, we developed a phenomenological, analytical model to describe the total tensile curve (both the deformation and the failure behaviour) and analyse the tensile properties of these hot compacted composites. The determination coefficients (R 2 ) between the modelled and measured force were larger than 0.99 and the relative mean squared error (RMSE) values (related to the measured maximum force 2 value) were smaller than 3% in every examined case, which indicated good modelling. Hence, the FBC model not only described the tensile behaviour of the nonwovens well, but it was also applicable for the composites.

Melt-blown fiber mat interleaving enhances the performance of single-polypropylene composites

“…We found that a die to collector distance (DCD) of 400 mm results in appropriate fiber mat porosity and fiber entanglement based on our previous experiences. 21,25 High porosity is necessary as the matrix flows through pores at the compression molding. We obtained a PP fiber mat with an average diameter of 2.28 ± 0.23 μm.…”

“…The crystallinity and tensile strength of the PLA fiber mat (fiber diameter ranging in between 2 and 14 μm) mat increased 2-fold and 20%, respectively, with the thermal annealing (at 85°C for 2 h). They reported that thermal annealing increased the tensile strength by 47% in the case of the SPC hot compacted for 30 s. In our previous study, 25 we studied the influence of the hot-compaction temperature on the mechanical and thermal behavior of single-polymer composites compression molded from PP melt-blown fiber mats. The specific force maximum of the MB SPC pressed was 109 ± 29% greater than that of the PP fiber mat.…”

Development of single‐polypropylene composites interleaved with MWCNT‐doped melt‐blown fine fiber mats

“…[4] Polypropylene (PP) is broadly utilized in many different products, including twines, ropes, and fine fiber mats. [5][6][7] Melt-blowing is one of the most suitable methods for producing such PP fine fibers in large volumes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, melt-blowing also gained a lot of attention since this is the most popular method for making the nonwoven filtering layer of protective facemasks and respirators.…”