Characterisation of the mechanical and oxygen barrier properties of microfibril reinforced composites

TL;DRAbstract

A relatively new type of reinforced composite material, derived from immiscible blends of thermoplastic homopolymers, is characterised in this doctoral research. Microfibril Reinforced Composites (MFCs) utilise common engineering and commodity polymers to create high strength and stiffness microfibrils dispersed in an isotropic matrix. Unlike traditional polymer composites, MFCs use the dispersed component of a blend to create an even distribution of in situ reinforcing microfibrils via a simple extrusion, drawing and processing technique. This research quantifies the mechanical and oxygen gas barrier properties of polyolefin-based MFCs containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microfibrils. It is concerned not only with identifying MFCs with the best properties, but also with how manufacturing parameters influence those properties. Characterisation is split into several parts. Initial investigations into blend development during extrusion and drawing were conducted. The main purpose

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