Effect of Fiber Contents on Fatigue Behavior of Injection Molded Polyamide 6 Matrix Composites

Abstract

In this study the effect of basalt and carbon fiber content on quasi-static and fatigue mechanical properties of polyamide 6 are investigated. Composites with different fiber contents were melt compounded, then specimens were injection molded. The presence of basalt and carbon fiber caused significant change in tensile properties; the effect of carbon fibers was major as expected. Fatigue life of composites decreased compared to the neat matrix, but it should be mentioned that higher load was applied in case of composites. Carbon fibers had remarkable effect on the decrement of cyclic creep. This means that the deformation of carbon fiber reinforced composites was lower than that of basalt fiber composites, even if load level was higher. Scanning electron microscopy of the fracture surfaces revealed larger tough fracture surface for carbon fiber reinforced composites compared to the basalt fiber reinforced ones.