Correlation between physical properties, microstructure and thermo-mechanical behavior of PPS-based composites processed by stamping

Abstract : This work focuses on the influence of stamping process on physical (glass transition temperature, and degree of crystallinity) and mechanical properties (Young’s modulus, tensile and compressive strengths, and in-plane and interlaminar shear strengths) of polyphenylenesulfide-based carbon fiber fabric laminates under severe environmental conditions (120℃ and hygrothermal ageing). The results show that stamping as well as hygrothermal ageing increase the glass transition temperature and the degree of crystallinity. Mechanical investigations coupled with fractography studies highlight significant improvements in both interlaminar and compressive properties. Finally, stamping can be considered as a second thermo-compression of consolidated laminates, and the resulting changes in the microstructure can be correlated with higher mechanical properties of polyphenylenesulfide-based laminates under severe conditions.