The Influence Of The Cross-Section Shape Of Fibers On The Properties Of The Composites

In this paper, five special-shaped fibers were prepared by self-designed spinnerets with polypropylene(PP), which were circular, triangular, pancake, crisscross and trefoil. These fibers were used to compose the composites with the PE resin. The sectional shape and dimension of the special- shaped fibers were studied. The mechanical properties of the fibers and the composites were determined.The calculation and design of the spinneret hole showed that the surface area of the cross-section of the shaped fibers is larger than the circular. When the fibers were subjected to the same tensile and pressure, the deformation of special-shaped fiber is smaller . The mechanical analysis of triangle-shaped fiber showed that the arrangement of the special-shaped fiber has the influence on the composite. The observation of the cross-sectional shape of the fibers with microscope approved that there was no significant change after the drawing on the shape of the fiber. The tensile test results showed that the tensile strength of special-shaped fibers and their composites are both higher than that of the circular-section fiber and its composite, respectively. Furthermore, the DMA showed that with the higher surface area of the cross-section of the shaped fibers the composites had higher storage modulus.