Fabrication and mechanical properties of self-reinforced poly(ethylene terephthalate) composites

Self-reinforced poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) composites prepared by using a modified film-stacking tech- nique were examined in this study. The starting materials included a high tenacity PET yarn (reinforcement) and a low melt- ing temperature biodegradable polyester resin (matrix), both of which differ in their melting temperatures with a value of 56°C. This experiment produced composite sheets at three consolidation temperatures (Tc: 215, 225, and 235°C) at a con- stant holding time (th: 6.5 min), and three holding times (3, 6.5 and 10 min) at a constant consolidation temperature of 225°C. This study observed a significant improvement in the mechanical properties obtained in self-reinforced PET com- posites compared to the pure polyester resin. The results of tensile, flexural, and Izod impact tests proved that optimal con- ditions are low consolidation temperature and short holding time. The absorbed impact energy of the best self-reinforced PET composite material was 854.0 J/m, which is 63 times that of pure polyester resin.